Strong market on the high end

Activity has strongly rebounded in the Chicago area's luxury home segment. People who can afford to do so are approaching builders to construct a house for them that meets their individual needs and lifestyles.

Builders say many are constructing energy-efficient homes in premium locations, filled with amenities, state-of-the-art technology and floor plans that allow them to age in place. There is much less emphasis on square footage than there was in luxury homes of the past, builders say.

"A luxury home is one of perception - the buyer's perception," said Chris Naatz, vice president of sales and marketing for D.R. Horton, parent company of Emerald Homes, which began building luxury homes in the Chicago area in 2013.

"Emerald Homes has found that many buyers consider a variety of things in their definition of a luxury home," he said. "Many buyers are seeking Emerald's fine finishes, including detailed wood trim, crown molding, high-end kitchens that feature granite or quartz (counter) tops and upscale appliances, as well as walk-in pantries, volume ceilings, stand-alone tubs and generously sized walk-in showers just to name some of the luxury features."

In addition, Emerald Homes are built in locations that make daily living convenient, value-added and fun - all of which add to the feeling of luxury living, Naatz said. There is tremendous value associated with being in an established area with top rated schools and amenities for personal recreation and convenience.

By buying an older, obsolete home and clearing the site, Emerald Homes offers buyers the opportunity to live in well-established towns and neighborhoods where the opportunity to own a new home is very limited. Buyers generally want to move there for the schools or they are already living there and want to stay, but in a home that better meets their needs.

Emerald Homes generally starts construction before there is a buyer, according to Naatz. Customers are able to see the home under construction and the time from purchase to closing is shortened. Depending upon how early in the process the home is purchased, buyers have the opportunity to make many interior selections.

Emerald Homes now offers luxury homes in Arlington Heights, Deerfield, Downers Grove, Glen Ellyn, Highland Park, Hinsdale, Lake Bluff, Libertyville, Naperville, Northbrook, St. Charles, Western Springs, Woodridge, Wheaton and Schererville, Indiana. Homes range in price from the upper $600,000s to $1.5 million. Visit www.emeraldhomes.com for details.

Lexington Homes

Lexington Homes is taking a different approach to the luxury home market. It is building 26 luxury homes of up to 5,000 square feet in Woodleaf at The Sanctuary Club in Kildeer, a community where every homesite features views of either water or woods.

"We offer seven different basic home plans with many room options, four different exterior elevations and strong list of amenities like wood floors, Viking appliances, fireplaces and intricate roof lines," said Jeff Benach, co-principal. "The exteriors are primarily traditional featuring stone and brick, Craftsman with the thick wood trim, front porch and stone pillars, and the classic with Alpine detailing."

Prices range from the low $700,000s to the mid $800,000s and most buyers are transferees or locals moving up from a smaller home or a condominium, Benach said. Nineteen lots remain.

For more information, visit www.lexingtonchicago.com.

Airhart Construction

Airhart Construction is combining the approaches of Emerald and Lexington. It is building five luxury custom homes in Dana Park Estates in Oak Brook as well as building on scattered sites owned by Airhart or its customers.

"Buyers today want to make their own unique lifestyle choices, especially when it comes to their floor plans. Some need one or two home offices with built-ins, some want wine rooms, some want saunas and spas. Today's buyers are very amenity-driven and interested in the ergonomics of every day living," said Court Airhart, president of Airhart Construction of Winfield.

"Most of our buyers have already had several houses and now they want a house that meets their particular needs. They want, for instance, cabinets with soft-close doors and drawers and a special cabinet for their heavy mixer with a lift on it. There is so much technology available today and they want to take advantage of it, especially in their kitchens and bathrooms.

"They also want all wood floors and enhanced trim levels," Airhart said.

"The attitude is that 'I have special needs and I want them met.' They realize that they may not get their money back when they sell their home, but they plan to live there for 20 years and are looking at their home as more of a user-valued purchase than a long-term investment purchase. They realize that someone will eventually come along and rip out the things they have done and they just don't care. They are building for their individual needs and lifestyles," he said.

"We have numerous house plans that we use as starting points with our clients because it is easier for buyers to have something to look at and move from there," Airhart said. "Homes in Dana Park Estates start at $1 million but those building on their own lots can have one of our homes built for $400,000 or slightly less."

Visit www.airhartconstruction.com for more information.

Plote Homes

Plote Homes, which was originally established as Par Development in 1989, is building three luxury communities of duplexes and single-family homes. Single-family homes are available in Boulder Ridge in Lake in the Hills and at Fairway View Estates in Algonquin. Both luxury duplexes and luxury single-family homes are available at The Lakes of Boulder Ridge in Lake in the Hills.

"We are currently building luxury duplexes in the $450,000 to $700,000 price range and luxury single-family homes in the $680,000 to $800,000 price range," said Dan Shepard, executive vice president.

"In just the last nine months we have noticed a shift in our buyers, 80 percent of whom are empty-nesters, needing to get exactly what they want in terms of higher-end wood flooring, cathedral ceilings, kitchen cabinets and islands, luxury master baths, and high-end finishes and appliances," he said.

"The room sizes and exterior materials they want are staying the same, but the interior finish levels are increasing dramatically and 75 percent want finished basements," Shepard said. "They have sold their longtime homes, which were generally between 6,000 and 7,000 square feet, and they are downsizing to between 2,500 and 3,500 square feet. But they want what they want.

"These buyers are finally coming off the sidelines, so sales at the upper end of the market is picking up and becoming strong," he said. "But they are determined to replicate the higher-end finishes they are accustomed to in these smaller spaces."

For more information, visit www.plotehomes.com.

Serosun Farms

Those seeking a luxury country home may also build their dream home at Serosun Farms in Hampshire.

"We build truly custom homes that are designed to fit the location, taking best advantage of each lot's unique views and topography," said John DeWald, owner and developer. "We are finding that our buyers are particularly interested in good design and amenities, as well as high-efficiency heating and cooling and other sustainable and healthy-home elements. They take great interest in high-end finishes and their kitchens and mudrooms are also very appealing since these homes are located in the country."

Square footage is smaller than the custom homes popular in the past, ranging from 3,000 to 4,000. But most buyers are also choosing to have their walkout or lookout English basements finished, DeWald added.

"We are seeing a lot of interest from older buyers who want to downsize for everyday living, but also want to be able to house visiting relatives on special occasions. So, many are interested in lofts above their garages and large living spaces for entertaining. Many are planning ahead, building this as a weekend country home for now, but planning to retire here in the future," he said.

"Several have even expressed interest in making this a so-called 'generational home' which, like in the old days, could be passed down in the family," DeWald said.

Serosun Farms features 114 lots, but roads have only been constructed so far to reach 30 lots. The plan is to gradually build the community, which includes a working 410-acre organic farm with an equestrian center, restored prairies, recreational trails, gardens and parks, a nature center, a fishing pond, limited retail structures and a farmers market building.

Homes will be built in rural styles like Craftsman and Victorian, using stone bases topped by hardie board or other composite siding that looks like wood but is resistant to hail, rot and insects. Serosun Farms homes with lots range from $800,000 to $2 million.

Visit www.serosunfarms.com for details.

Harris Custom Builders

Harris Custom Builders is synonymous with Old World home architecture in the greater Barrington communities of Inverness, Barrington, Deer Park, Barrington Hills and surrounding areas. Evan Harris, president and founder, has been selling his unique brand of custom homes in those exclusive communities for 48 years.

"I build homes that I would want to live in myself," Harris said. "Each year I build eight to 10 high-end, high-quality homes in the $1 million to $2 million price range with lots of architectural detailing. But we do try to be price conscious and guide our clients with the expertise we have acquired over the years. We have learned what works and what doesn't when it comes to luxury homes and we constantly work to keep up on the latest advances.

"More buyers today are viewing their purchase as the purchase of their 'forever' home. So they want us to design it so that it remains relevant and they can continue to be comfortable there as they age," Harris said.

"For the last eight years or so we have installed an elevator in almost every home we have built, for instance. They know that in the future they might get injured and need it. Many also have parents who come to visit for extended periods of time and this way they don't need to put a bedroom on the first floor.

"Installing an elevator in a home allows the owners much more longevity in their dream house," he added.

Harris said homes featuring lots of open space, especially between the kitchen and the family room or great room, have also become exceedingly popular during the last decade because buyers want a nice, open view of the entire house. Finished lower levels and "smart" homes with lots of electronics that control functions are also hot today.

"We have a large inventory of scattered premium properties in exclusive neighborhoods in Barrington Hills and all around the Barrington area. Some are vacant lots and others are ripe for a teardown of an existing older home, but we also have two small subdivisions under construction," Harris said.

Abbey Woods in Barrington will feature 14 homes on rolling, wooded lots, many of which overlook two ponds and wetlands. The other subdivision is Geneva Court in Inverness. It consists of three 1½-acre lots and will feature similar homes to those in Abbey Woods.

For more information, visit www.harriscustombuilders.com.