How you want to live is as important as where
When it comes to homebuilding, one size does not fit all.
Today builders strive to satisfy the needs of a variety of buyers — single parents, newlyweds, first-time buyers, empty nesters, retirees and multigenerational families — the most diverse clientele the industry has seen.
Builders embrace the challenge and take different approaches to draw buyers to their communities.
Many builders offer several products — attached and unattached single-family homes, duplexes, row houses, townhouses and condos. Some feature residences in a downtown location with amenities that appeal to a broad range of buyers. Some place their communities in a larger country setting, while others target a specific segment of the market with active-adult communities.
When buyers purchase a new home, they also buy the lifestyle they want.
Want an urban feel? R. Franczak offers condos and brownstones in downtown Palatine in a walk-to-train location.
“Young singles and couples love having a new place in town with 9-foot ceilings; it's very loft-like with an urban feel,” said Katie Campbell, sales manager. “The condos are also popular with snowbirds. When they leave for the winter, they just forward their mail, lock the door, and they're all set for the season.”
The three-story brownstones appeal to young families and empty nesters downsizing from a larger home in Inverness or Barrington. They love being downtown, and they want something large enough for the family when the kids come back from school or when they host the holidays, Campbell said.
Airhart Construction offers a cozy neighborhood of cottage homes between downtown Wheaton and Glen Ellyn called College Station. This is townhouse living with no attached walls and more windows designed for buyers who want an urban lifestyle and walk-to-train location.
Airhart's diversified product includes several other communities, such as Fisher Farm with ranches and two-stories sitting in a neighborhood setting, which appeals to a variety of buyers.
Those looking for a luxurious lifestyle have several choices. McKenzie Place features upscale townhouses while The Reserve of Prince Crossing Farm in West Chicago presents an enclave of 18 custom homes. Radcliff Ridge offers 22 executive home sites in Lisle, and there are two beautiful lots in Woodland Oaks in Wheaton with $800,000 homes.
Of course not everyone wants to be in town. Some buyers enjoy living away from it all in a country setting.
Cambridge Lakes by D.R. Horton in Pingree Grove offers amenities galore and a wide selection of residences including single-family homes, single-family attached homes, townhouses, duplexes and three-story row houses.
Residents enjoy all kinds of recreation, more than 300 acres of open space including wooded park areas, natural conservation areas, 14 lakes and miles of walking and biking paths.
Another part of that D.R. Horton community, Carillon at Cambridge Lakes, is designed for active adults who like resort-style living where they can enjoy lots of activities and social events while living near their children and grandchildren.
“This is a pretty big niche considering that a large segment of the market today is active adults,” said Chris Naatz, vice president of sales for D.R. Horton's Illinois division. “There are no age restrictions, so we also attract other buyers, too.”
With its clubhouse, activities and social events, both communities foster relationships and offer a great way for children and adults to meet new friends.
“We offer a wonderful choice of homes in terms of lifestyle and affordability,” Naatz said. “We have something for everyone.”
Some homebuyers prefer the freedom of maintenance-free living.
Residents of Franczak's condos and brownstones enjoy that feature while maintenance-free living is also available at Cambridge Lakes, where townhouses are popular with singles, young couples or families with a busy lifestyle who prefer doing other things rather than tending to their yards, Naatz said.
Fisher Farm in Winfield is unique in that it features single-family homes that include lawn and landscaping care and snow removal.
“Most of our buyers are baby boomers, then young couples and singles,” said Bill Whelan, marketing manager. “Young people who don't have time to do exterior maintenance, but don't want attached walls as in a townhouse, like the no-maintenance feature, along with empty-nesters and retirees.”
Often a home's floor plan and interior features may appeal to a specific buyer or a broad range of buyers.
Franczak's condos show open layouts with two bedrooms and two baths with neutral finishes where buyers can still add accent details. The builder also offers in-unit washers and dryers, indoor heated parking and extra storage, Campbell said. “We have everyone from first-time buyers to seniors coming through our models, so we want to make sure we're not limiting anyone from purchasing.”
The larger brownstones also feature open layouts. Highlights include a fireplace, large balcony off the great room, first-floor bonus room, three bedrooms and laundry room on the top floor including a masters' suite with luxury bath and two walk-in closets.
“Our first buyers are moving from a large home in Barrington. Their last child is away at school and they wanted to downsize, but still have enough space when their child comes back from school,” Campbell said.
Kitchens often take center stage in homes today. And who doesn't love a great kitchen?
Many builders include wonderful kitchens in their new homes. Today, the kitchen is the hub of the home, and everyone appreciates a great kitchen with stainless steel appliances and granite countertops, Campbell said.
“First-time buyers and young families use the kitchen a lot, and retirees and empty-nesters are seasoned cooks who like a nice kitchen to entertain their grandkids or host a holiday meal.”
Many builders offer customization where they will make specific changes to a plan to suit their clients' needs.
Airhart has an architect on staff so if it doesn't offer a feature the client wants, the builder can make it happen.
“For example, we had buyers that cooked a lot, so they did a small separate kitchen area detached from the regular kitchen,” Whelan said. “It was a one-time custom thing. And we often do a second master that is usually for an in-law arrangement that has a nicer bath than a normal secondary bath.”
At D.R. Horton's communities, buyers sometimes have a specific request. They may prefer a home where the stairs are configured a certain way. Or they may want fewer or more windows, Naatz said. “And we are able to accommodate them.”
Fall Home Show
Each Friday through Oct. 6 during the annual Fall Home Show, the Daily Herald will cover a different topic in new construction housing. Pick up a copy of the Daily Herald's HomesFriday section to find a listing of the top new homes communities in the suburbs.
The housing topics we will cover are:
Sept. 9: Master suites
Sept. 16: Shades of green
Sept. 23: Homebuilder niches
Sept. 30: Front porches
Oct. 6: Popular upgrades