Inverness Hills in neighborhood profile

With their home looking out on a natural preserve, Susan and Gregg Kobeski have the best entertainment in their own backyard: gorgeous sunsets, deer visiting near their back patio or in their driveway, and picturesque views.

The couple has always lived in the general vicinity, and 24 years ago when they were ready to build, they discovered a lot in Inverness Hills that backed up to a forest preserve.

"That was it," Susan Kobeski said. "Plus it was in the perfect school district and close to my husband's job.

"Our house itself is fabulous, too," Kobeski said. "We had it built, so we put some of our desires into the design. We love to congregate in the kitchen, where there's a lot of glass to look out to our yard. We hang around the island; it's a nice gathering space.

"This is also a great neighborhood to walk outside. There are a lot of dog walkers, and people walk just for exercise."

The Inverness Hills neighborhood, nestled on the border of Barrington just west of Ela Road, was developed by Art Gingold in 1979 during a residential explosion of sorts. Many larger homes with a variety of designs were built in and around Inverness in the 1970s and '80s.

The upscale subdivision features 78 two-story and ranch homes on a minimum of one-acre sites along winding roads that meander through the countryside.

These distinctive homes feature unique architectural designs because of the diversity of builders that worked in the subdivision, including Dior, Liberty Craft, The Nicholas Group and others, said Tony Sarantakis, a real estate broker with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Arlington Heights.

Many of the homes back up to a 16-acre conservation area donated to the Inverness Park District. Residents enjoy this beautiful, serene property that provides a habitat for wildlife such as deer, fox and coyote, Sarantakis said.

Sarantakis and his wife, Tina, purchased one of only ten lots remaining in the subdivision 25 years ago. Tony loves singing the praises of the subdivision where he, his wife their two children, Tori and Nick, and the family pet lab-retriever Rocco have lived for so many years.

"We like the acreage, and the schools were a big consideration at the time we moved here. It has more of a neighborhood feel, and we're closer together rather than being so spread out like some other subdivisions," said Tina Sarantakis, who is also a real estate broker with Coldwell Banker.

The couple also enjoys scenic views from their backyard where they love to sit out on their fairly new paver patio with fireplace. "It's really nice in the evening to go out there and sit and watch the fire," Tony Sarantakis said.

A benefit of living in Inverness Hills is its active homeowners' association that has the largest participation of any in the area, said Tony Sarantakis, who is a board member of the association. "This group has evolved into a network of close friendships."

For other activities and recreation, the Inverness Park District manages three parks - Maggie Rogers Park, North Park and South Park. The park district also offers sports leagues and classes for children and adults and hosts summer concerts and annual holiday events.

Also, just as the Inverness Golf Club was the center for recreation for the area in 1939, it's a center of social life today. The club offers golfing, gourmet dining, tennis courts and swimming - something for everyone in the family.

Tony Sarantakis said buyers also want to be in the sought-after Palatine Township Elementary District 15 and Palatine-Schaumburg High School District 211, specifically withing the Fremd High School attendance area, which is a big draw for people to purchase a home in Inverness Hills.

Nearby shopping includes nearby strip malls, Deer Park and Woodfield Mall with restaurants and movie theaters.

Listing sheet

<span class="fact box text bold">Price range:</span> $550,000 to $1 million-plus

<span class="fact box text bold">Age of homes:</span> Development began in 1979

<span class="fact box text bold">Schools: </span>Marion Jordan Elementary and Walter Sundling Junior High schools in Palatine Township Elementary District 15 and Fremd High School in Palatine-Schaumburg High School District 211.

<span class="fact box text bold">Parks:</span> Inverness Park District