Salina, KS — Despite rising material costs, labor shortages, and shifting interest rates, AeroPlains Homes has completed construction on 50 new townhomes in south Salina, delivering the neighborhood on time and at the price originally promised to buyers.
In an interview with Salina311, Derek Lee of AeroPlains Homes detailed how the development team navigated multiple economic pressures to complete the project as planned.
“The last couple of years have been a real challenge with the price increases for materials, labor, and interest rates,” Lee said. “And while labor has gotten more expensive, the shortage of qualified workers is an additional challenge. That being said, we were able to build the 50 high quality, high efficiency homes at AeroPlains and bring them to market at the price we promised two years ago. And while it was not easy, we also built them on time.”
Each home, according to Lee, features generous square footage, high-efficiency materials, two-car garages, and design details that reflect current buyer priorities in the Salina housing market.
“At AeroPlains, we offer three different floor plans to make sure that one of them is right for everyone,” Lee said. “Buyers today want to choose a home that fits their personal lifestyle. Buyers are looking for safety, quality, and convenience without paying extra for it.”
Each home is designed with zero-entry access at all three exterior doors, wider hallways and doorways for accessibility, and open-concept living areas. Floor plans such as the Citation and Gulfstream feature vaulted ceilings, while the Lear model includes a full two-story ceiling above the living room.
Every AeroPlains home includes a built-in storm and tornado shelter, which Lee said is a non-negotiable feature for the development team. “We will not build a home without one,” he said. “Part of what drives our development team is to make sure we only build homes that we would want to live in, and that we would trust to keep our families safe.”
Lee also highlighted the construction focus on durability, privacy, and efficiency. Each townhome includes a nine-layer separation system between units, including dual firewalls, a sound barrier, dual framing with full insulation, and thicker drywall to reduce noise transfer. “The end result is a level of privacy and security on par with a stand-alone home,” Lee said.
Affordability for first-time buyers has also been a major focus. Many buyers face unexpected costs after purchasing a new home — such as landscaping, window coverings, and high special assessments. AeroPlains includes those amenities up front.
“At AeroPlains, the landscaping is done, the sod is already laid, the sprinkler system is installed, and the blinds are in the windows,” Lee said. “There are zero dollars in special assessment property taxes. This represents up to $50,000 or more in savings that can otherwise be an unpleasant surprise for new homeowners. At AeroPlains, everything is included.”
While global tariffs and supply chain delays have affected many in the construction industry, Lee said the development team was proactive. “Tariffs are on the top of everyone’s mind these days, and we were fortunate to lock in pricing when we did to avoid any further increases to our costs to build,” he said.
Each AeroPlains home meets or exceeds the State of Kansas energy efficiency standards, with R15+ insulation in exterior walls, R40+ roofing, double-pane windows, Energy Star appliances, LED lighting, and 90%+ efficient furnaces.
“We are building to an energy efficiency level normally reserved for harsher climates,” Lee said. “By building homes with higher quality and more energy efficient materials, the utility costs are significantly lower than comparable homes.”
Lee added that despite higher interest rates compared to recent years, demand remains strong for new builds in Salina.
“When you offer a high-quality product with features that customers want at a price they can afford, there is always a market,” he said. “Interest rates have recently come down, too, making this a great time to buy. Combined with our brand new homes priced at $199k–$229k, new housing will never be more affordable than it is right now.”
Aero Plains