First-time buyer patiently searched for the perfect 'gem'

Michelle Clexton did the responsible thing. The 32-year-old customer service supervisor lived at home with her parents for many years, saving money to buy a place of her own.

And when she had saved enough, she pounded the pavement, looking at both resale and new construction condominium developments that would be convenient to her job in Lincolnshire and her parents in Niles.

And as luck would have it, she stumbled upon a gem of a unit -- an amethyst, to be exact.

She purchased a condominium in Des Plaines at Stone Gate, where all of the models are named after precious gems. Her favorite was the Amethyst, a one-bedroom, one-bath end unit with a kitchen that opened to the living room, a spacious balcony and 1,066 square feet of living space.

When Clexton first visited Stone Gate two years ago "there was little more than a giant hole in the ground where they were beginning to build the foundation," she recalled. "But I liked what I saw on paper. The floor plans offered very user-friendly, open layouts and plenty of home for the money."

And she was thrilled to learn that there was an Amethyst available in one of the buildings that provided an appealing southern exposure -- one that would invite plenty of natural sunlight to the delight of Dingle, her cat, who enjoys curling up on windowsills.

"This felt like the right location, the perfect choice for my needs," said Clexton. "Plus, I couldn't get over how affordable my new condo would be, considering all the features that were included, such as an assigned indoor parking spot and inexpensive monthly assessments that included water, heat and gas. You'd be surprised -- a lot of condominiums don't come with many of these amenities that are so easy to take for granted."

So Clexton took the plunge and became a first-time buyer. She took delivery in spring of 2007 and has no regrets whatsoever.

"What I love about my home is the fact that it has every appliance I need," she said. "This may sound silly, but one of the most important factors in my purchase was having a good dishwasher, because I'm not too crazy about washing dishes by hand.

"My residence is equipped with quality GE appliances, including a full-size, side-by-side washer and dryer. That was a big deal to me, as I didn't want to have to lug my laundry to some other location in the building to clean my clothes, as you would in an apartment building," she explained.

The right appliances were such a high priority that Clexton even opted to upgrade them from white to black for a sleeker look. Among the other extras she selected were a hardwood floor for the living room and ceramic tile in the kitchen, hallway and foyer.

"My favorite spot is the living room, which opens to the kitchen, allowing me to socialize easier with guests while I prepare a meal or refreshment. The living room also has big sliding-glass doors that lead to the large balcony. It's a great place to cook out, take in the neighborhood sights and sit back to relax on a warm evening," she said.

Clexton has grown fond of nearby downtown Des Plaines, especially outdoor events like its annual summer fest. And she's befriended a handful of affable neighbors on her floor, as well.

"Newport Builders made the entire process worry-free and comfortable for me," she said. "Their sales staff was very knowledgeable and responsive to my every question. They didn't mind how many times I visited the site to check on the status of construction, which I did quite a bit. But everything progressed smoothly, as promised. In fact, my building was even finished sooner than expected, which enabled me to move in early. I'm so glad I decided to buy a place of my own and become a homeowner at Stone Gate."

Buyers at Stone Gate can choose from 11 designs. Residences range from 1,124 to 1,994 square feet and feature one to three bedrooms, one or two baths, spacious living and dining rooms, fully-applianced kitchens and laundry rooms, a private balcony, one parking space and one private storage space in the heated garage. Some also feature dens. Additional parking spaces can be purchased.

The monthly assessment ranges from $170 to $292 and includes heat, water, gas, garbage removal, landscaping and lawn maintenance, and building insurance. Base prices range from $241,950 to the $350,000s.

Both quick delivery homes and units waiting for a buyer's personal color and material selections are available. Stone Gate's sales center offers four decorated models. Other completed floor plans are available for walk-through.

Stone Gate Condominiums is located just north of the intersection of Western Avenue and Northwest Highway.

To reach the sales center, exit northbound I-294 at Dempster Avenue, and head west about 1½ miles (turns into Miner Street/Northwest Highway). Turn right at Western Avenue to the sales center. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. Sunday or by appointment. For information, call (847) 699-9606 or visit www.newportbuilders.com.