MOSES LAKE — The neighborhood is there. Now all it needs is some neighbors. 

“Being a new builder and a new name to town, it does take a little bit to get name recognition up and running,” said Realtor Amy Leicht at the ribbon-cutting Tuesday for The Refuge at Mae Valley, a new housing development by Tri-Cities-based Pro Made Homes. 

“I wouldn't say (homes are) flying off the shelf yet, but I think the reason is, I think people want to see what this builder is all about,” said Tami Canfield with Coldwell Banker Tomlinson Ranch & Home in Moses Lake, who’s handling sales locally for The Refuge at Mae Valley. “They want to see a finished product. And so that's what's great about having these spec and model homes, is that people have the opportunity now to see what the builder is all about, what kind of product they make.” 

The event was in conjunction with the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce and held at Pro Made’s model home at the development, which is on the west side of Moses Lake just off Interstate 90. Pro Made has acquired 50 lots in the area and is putting up homes with a starting price point in the lower $300,000 range, Leicht said. This is Pro Made’s first foray into the Moses Lake market. 

Two homes have been sold at The Refuge at Mae Valley so far, Leicht said. 

“We've been fortunate that both of the pre-sells that we're building, the clients’ family members own houses with us in the Tri-Cities area,” she said. “So they were able to speak to their own family members and say, 'Hey, here's what our experience has been with this builder.’ They were super happy and found success in building with us … And then we've got one spec house that's currently under contract, and we've got a lot of activity and interest in our other houses here as well.” 

Buyers can purchase one of the homes that’s already on the site, or custom-design one to their specifications, Leicht said.  

The model home helps with visualizing the different options, said designer Rita Maksimchuk, rather than just picking options off a list. 

“Over the years that I’ve been doing this … I can see a house in my head,” she said. “But people ask, ‘What does a 6-inch backsplash look like in the bathroom?’ So we're like, ‘Okay, here you have the 6-inch backsplash. You have the laminate counters. This is what a finished bathroom looks like. These are the glass shower doors. Just small elements that help people out.” 

Once the home is selected, Leicht said, getting it built is relatively fast. 

“A really unique opportunity for us as a builder is that we offer a really short build time frame,” she said. “We have a really solid construction team and site super that will oversee the construction progress. So our build time is 60 days from receipt of the construction permit.” 

Most of Pro Made’s other developments have been in the Tri-Cities and lower Yakima Valley areas, but there are also projects in Spokane, Post Falls, Idaho, and Boardman, Ore. 

“We're super excited for the opportunity to be here in Moses Lake,” Leicht said. “We look forward to great opportunities with sales here, and also looking at additional future land opportunities to continue expanding our footprint within the Moses Lake community as well.” 

The Refuge at Mae Valley is away from the middle of town, but has easy access via the freeway to shopping, Canfield said. There is some commercial development going on nearby, she added, but she wasn’t sure what it would be when it’s finished. 

“There's a lot more traffic coming out this way,” she said. “So with the future (elementary) school down Westshore (Drive), I think we're starting to see a lot more happening out on this side of town.” 

    Pro Made Homes Head of Design Rita Maksimchuk stands in the kitchen of the model home at The Refuge at Mae Valley. The model home shows several of the custom options available in the new development.
  

    A crew puts up a home at The Refuge at Mae Valley Wednesday. Pro Made Homes, which is developing the neighborhood, can put up a home in about 60 days, according to Realtor Amy Leicht.
  

    Pro Made Homes’ development The Refuge at Mae Valley consists of 50 lots, of which most are still available.