WHY IT WORKED: The real estate market in the southern end of San Diego County is sizzling right now, so Auburn Lane's location is surely a big factor in its success. But you don't get a near sellout in less than a year without some other draws—namely, first-rate architecture, family-friendly floor plans, and a master planned community with plenty of precious green space.

  • Buyers like the number of bedrooms (four to six) included with each elevation and that each plan offers on the first floor a bedroom and a powder room that can be upgraded to a full bath.
  • Amid intense demand in Eastern Chula Vista, Calif., where there has been a great deal of recent development, Auburn Lane stands out by offering a distinctive close-knit community feel. Porches and outdoor courtyards on the front elevation help encourage street-side life.

    • OUTDOOR INTEREST: Exterior rockwork, porches that wrap, and unusual window configurations give the homes at Auburn Lane plenty of street-side flavor.

  • Interior details include media niches, drywalled garages, and generous linen closets and storage areas.
  • The distinctive Tuscan, Santa Barbara, and French Country elevations helped win Auburn Lane a Beautification Award from the city of Chula Vista. Officials praised the way the architecture contributes to the neighborhood's sense of community.

    • Project Credits

    Project: Auburn Lane by McMillin Homes (within the master planned community of McMillin Lomas Verdes), Chula Vista, Calif.; Sales started: November 2003; Sales through November 2004: 92; Units planned: 92; Price: $752,990 to $829,890; Unit size: 2,720 to 3,397 square feet; Builder: McMillin Homes, National City, Calif.; Developer: The Corky McMillin Cos., National City; Architect: Robert Bowlus, La Jolla, Calif.; Land planner: ONA, San Diego; Landscape architect: SJA, Carlsbad, Calif.; Interior designer: Dulce Design, Del Mar, Calif.