How Las Campanas Home Styles Fit Different Buyers

Trying to match your lifestyle to a home in Las Campanas? With options that range from low‑maintenance villas to expansive custom estates and horse‑friendly acreage, it helps to see how each type actually lives day to day. In this guide, you will compare the main home styles, understand HOA and Design Review basics, and see price and lot patterns so you can focus your search with confidence. Let’s dive in.

Las Campanas at a glance

Las Campanas is a gated, master‑planned community of several thousand acres with roughly 1,700 homesites across about 29 named estates. Each estate has recorded rules that supplement the community‑wide standards, so it is smart to review both the Master Declaration and your estate’s CC&Rs before you buy. You can find the current documents on the community’s public site under CC&Rs and governance.

The Club at Las Campanas features two Jack Nicklaus Signature golf courses, a large Hacienda clubhouse, fitness and tennis facilities, pools, and a world‑class equestrian center. The Club notes it is about a 15‑minute drive to the Santa Fe Plaza, and membership is optional and handled directly by the Club. Property ownership does not automatically include Club membership.

A Master Association maintains private roads and common areas and coordinates gate security and on‑site emergency response. Assessments are billed quarterly, and amounts vary by estate or village. Always confirm the current master and any village assessments during your due diligence.

Track 1: Lock‑and‑leave golf villas

What you get

Villas in enclaves like Club Casitas or Los Santeros are smaller, lower‑maintenance homes near the clubhouse, golf, and walking paths. Most are single level or modest two level. Parcels are compact, often around 0.2 to 0.4 acres, which helps keep yard work simple. Many are marketed as lock‑and‑leave second homes.

HOA and maintenance

Villa enclaves typically include enhanced village services, such as shared landscape and path upkeep, in addition to the Master Association coverage. You will pay a quarterly master assessment plus any village assessment, so be sure to verify the combined amount for a specific address.

Best‑fit lifestyle

Choose a villa if you want easy access to the clubhouse and social amenities, minimal exterior upkeep, and the freedom to travel without worrying about a large landscape. Villas are often the most attainable entry point into Las Campanas while keeping you close to community activity.

Price and size snapshot

As of the 2024–2026 listing window, example villa listings commonly ranged from the low $900,000s to the mid‑$1 million to $1.5 million band for move‑in options. Club‑adjacent villas on roughly 0.2 to 0.3 acres often appeared around $1.15 million to $1.3 million. Treat these as snapshots only and confirm current pricing and HOA totals with your agent and the local MLS.

Track 2: Custom estates on 1–5 acres

What you get

Custom estates are individually sited homes, often on 1 to 3 or more acres with big mountain or golf views. Architecture ranges from Pueblo and Territorial to clean contemporary, all within Design Review standards. Many estates, including areas like Black Mesa or Wildhorse, offer view lots that support generous outdoor living.

HOA and maintenance

You will be part of the Master Association and your estate’s CC&Rs, but owners maintain their private acreage unless a village provides extra services. Any new construction or exterior change, including additions and major landscaping, typically requires Design Review approval. Build timing and submittals can add weeks to your project schedule.

Best‑fit lifestyle

Pick a custom estate if you want privacy, room to entertain, expansive portals and courtyards, and space for options like a guest house or larger garage. Operating costs and long‑term maintenance are greater than a villa, so plan for that in your budget.

Price and size snapshot

In the 2024–2026 period, representative custom estates often ranged roughly from $1.8 million to $4 million plus, depending on acreage, view, and finish level. Parcels commonly start around 1 acre, with many homes on 2 to 3 acres. Verify current inventory, pricing, and assessment details with your agent.

Track 3: Equestrian and acreage properties

What you get

Certain tracts, including Ranch Estates, allow on‑lot equestrian use under recorded CC&Rs. Lots are larger, with room for owner‑built barns, corrals, and related structures when they meet design standards and stay within the lot’s building envelope. These properties deliver ranch‑scale privacy and access to designated community trails where applicable.

Key CC&R rules

Ranch Estates CC&Rs outline specific allowances and care requirements. A typical lot may house up to two adult horses or two llamas, or a combination of one horse and one llama, with limited allowances for foals. Barns, stables, and corrals must sit within the designated building envelope, and manure storage and removal procedures are defined. Always read the exact CC&Rs for the estate you are considering.

The Club’s Equestrian Center

The Club at Las Campanas operates a major Equestrian Center with boarding, a large indoor arena of about 32,000 square feet, outdoor rings, lessons, and trail rides. Access is handled by the Club, and membership or boarding fees are separate from property ownership. If equestrian services matter to you, budget for those costs in addition to your real estate purchase.

Best‑fit lifestyle

Choose an equestrian or acreage property if you plan to keep horses or want extra land for privacy and on‑site structures. Expect additional upkeep, compliance with building‑envelope rules, and Design Review steps for any barn or corral you plan to add.

Price and land notes

Available land and larger homes vary widely in price, from several hundred thousand dollars for some interior lots to $1 million plus for premium view parcels. If acreage is your focus, confirm utilities, any water or septic constraints, and the recorded building envelope before you write an offer.

HOA, Design Review, and security essentials

Las Campanas operates under a Master Association plus estate‑level CC&Rs. Before you make an offer, review both the Master Declaration and your estate’s recorded rules, and request the plat and building‑envelope map for the lot you like.

All exterior work generally requires Design Review. Expect submittals, schedule lead time, and compliance checks that can add weeks to project timelines. Starting the conversation early will save time after closing.

Assessments are billed quarterly and fund private road maintenance, common areas, gate staffing, and on‑site emergency response. Owners handle their private‑lot upkeep per the CC&Rs. Combined master and village assessments can be a material part of carrying costs, so confirm amounts in writing during due diligence.

Quick buyer checklist

• Clarify lifestyle fit first: low‑maintenance villa or full‑service estate acreage.
• If you want horses, verify which estate permits equestrian use and read the specific CC&Rs for limits, building‑envelope rules, and manure management.
• Confirm carrying costs: master quarterly assessments, any village assessments, utilities, and private maintenance. Ask for recent figures.
• Decide on Club access early: if golf, fitness, spa, or equestrian services matter, ask about membership availability, initiation, dues, and any waitlist.
• Plan your project timeline: request Design Review requirements, submission checklists, and the current processing timeline before you commit to renovations or new structures.
• Check water, septic, and conservation notes for the specific lot. Ask for any community guidance on water use.
• Review safety and emergency response resources, and evaluate defensible space and insurance options for your home and lot.

Ready to see how each style lives in person and compare current inventory? Reach out for a private tour tailored to your goals. When you are ready to explore, connect with Bunny Terry. Start your Santa Fe story.

FAQs

What does the Las Campanas Master Association cover?

• The Master Association maintains private roads and common areas, staffs gate security, and coordinates on‑site emergency response. Assessments are billed quarterly, and amounts vary by estate or village.

Do I need a Club membership to use golf, fitness, or the Equestrian Center?

• Club membership is optional and managed by the Club. Property ownership does not include membership, so ask the Club about availability, initiation costs, and annual dues.

How strict is Design Review for renovations or new builds?

• Exterior work, additions, new construction, and many landscape projects require Design Review approval. Plan for submittals and timelines that can add weeks to your schedule.

Are horses allowed on every lot in Las Campanas?

• No. Equestrian use is permitted only in designated areas, such as Ranch Estates, and is governed by detailed CC&Rs that specify allowed animals, structures within the building envelope, and manure management.

How far is Las Campanas from downtown Santa Fe?

• The Club notes Las Campanas is about a 15‑minute drive from the Santa Fe Plaza, depending on route and traffic.