When builders open a new home community for sale, they usually do it with some fanfare.

The “official grand opening” of sales offices usually offers some pomp and ceremony, and often food and trinkets for first-day visitors. When New Home Co. was faced with starting sales of its latest project, health fears tied to coronavirus forced it to rethink sales strategies.

Sterling is the final new home neighborhood of Rancho Mission Viejo’s Esencia project, and the last new model homes at the master-planned community until 2022. The Sterling neighborhood’s grand opening once scheduled for Saturday, March 21, won’t be so grand.

The 60 two-story, single-family homes designed by Bassenian Lagoni will be shown by appointment only. (Contact New Home Co.’s Justyna Korczynsky for more information at jkorczynski@nwhm.com.) The homes will be up to 2,595 square feet with up to five bedrooms and four bathrooms and two-car garages.