Touring models worth the trip for family
Stephen and Sandra Vavra and their two young sons are bound for Hawaii next summer, thanks to a contest held by the Talamore subdivision in Huntley where the family recently purchased a home.
The contest for the Hawaiian vacation package was open to anyone who toured the community's 16 models during the grand opening for Talamore's 8,000-square-foot clubhouse.
Sandra Vavra said her family was already headed home from the clubhouse party when a neighbor reminded them about the giveaway.
"We had heard about the contest, but just didn't connect it with the grand opening, even though they were giving everybody leis when you walked in," she said. "It had already been a long day, but when I asked Stephen and the kids if they were up for visiting the models, they said let's do it. So it's really thanks to them that we won."
The trip, which the family hopes to schedule for next summer, will be the couple's second visit to Maui. Sandra and Stephen spent their honeymoon there seven years ago.
"We hope to see some of the sites we missed last time, like the road to Hana," Vavra said. "We absolutely never win anything, so this has really made our entire experience purchasing a home and moving in at Talamore even more amazing."
With plans for nearly 2,000 homes by Lennar and Ryland Homes, Talamore in Huntley is one of the largest developments in the area. The community offers both townhouse and single-family plans with features such as first-floor master suites, lofts, first-floor dens, eat-in kitchens, two-story foyers and family rooms and luxury master baths.
The Vavras learned they won the vacation at a surprise celebration at the Talamore clubhouse. A company representative asked if they could be interviewed for marketing purposes. When they arrived, a team of Talamore representatives greeted them with leis, balloons and the news that they had won the trip.
"I had completely forgotten about the contest, so when we walked in the room and everyone cheered I thought they were just really happy we were doing the interview," Vavra said. "But then I saw a sign congratulating us and realized we had won the trip."
Coincidentally, the Vavras were able to immediately share their news with friends because they were hosting more than 20 guests in their new home that day.
"My best friend was celebrating his 25th year in the priesthood, so his family, who had flown in from India for the celebration, was staying with us," Vavra said.
And their new 3,177-square-foot home had plenty of space to accommodate everyone.
"With three full baths, it was no problem for everyone to be comfortable," Vavra said. "And the morning we learned we won the vacation, I had actually just finished serving everyone an all-American breakfast. The double ovens in the kitchen make it easy to cook for a crowd."
The floor plan also gives the Vavras the open layout they wanted in a new home. It features a two-story family room and adjacent kitchen that are open to the upstairs landing.
"Our boys are 3 and 5, and pretty adventurous, so it's great that we can see and hear what they're up to in the bedrooms when we're in the family room or kitchen," she said.
"We looked at everything from older homes to other new-construction communities in the area, and nothing else compared to what we could get at Talamore."
Floor plans at Talamore range from 1,310 to 4,225 square feet and have two to five bedrooms and 1ˆ¨ to four baths. Base prices range from the low $200,000s for townhouses to the $330,000s for single-family homes.
To visit Talamore, take I-90 to Route 47 and proceed north for approximately five miles. Talamore is located just north of Reed Road on the west side of Route 47. Visit www.talamorehuntley.com or call (888) 505-3662, ext. 618, for more information on Lennar's homes and (847) 515-1166 for information on Ryland Homes.