Richmond offers The Trails of Pheasant Ridge

Whether you're scaling up or down, The Trails of Pheasant Ridge offers homes for each type of buyer at its new home community in the quaint town of Richmond.

The development by Gerstad Builders is situated on Route 12 (Rand Road) about one mile north of Route 173. The builder showcases the Robin, a two-story professionally decorated model home for visitors to tour. With a price tag of $249,990, the two-story model is also for sale and will include popular upgrades, window treatments and bedding. Buyers also have the option of purchasing the home complete with its designer furnishings.

The model home represents 11 floor plans offered at the community and base priced from $192,990 to $254,990 with two to four bedrooms, 21/2 baths, partial basements and two-car garage.

Along with these homes, the builder is introducing four new floor plans, which including ranch and two-story designs in response to the trend of buyers searching for smaller, more value-driven houses.

"Our new homes represent more than the introduction of a group of new floor plans. They show Gerstad Builder's continuing effort to refine homes to meet our customers' ever changing desires," said Roger Gerstad, president of Gerstad Builders.

"Based upon buyer feedback and changing buying habits, it became apparent there was sufficient demand for smaller square footage homes with lower purchase prices."

These smaller homes range from 1,292 to 2,030 square feet and are priced from $169,990 to $208,990. The most affordable home in this series is the Biltmore at $169,990 with 1,292 square feet designed for buyers who want stair-free living and are interested in the amount of usable space rather than dramatic vaulted ceilings.

With a kitchen/breakfast area and great room, the home is spacious enough to host family events. And there's plenty of space in the master suite for a reading area. A second bedroom will accommodate weekend guests.

Back to the other end of the spectrum, the Robin, priced at $249,990, features 1,995 square feet, three bedrooms, 21/2 baths, loft area, full basement and three-car garage.

This home features a neutral décor with red and black accents, an open floor plan, upgrades galore, high-end amenities, professional decorating, and landscaping watered by an in-ground sprinkler system.

A two-story foyer welcomes you into the home, where dramatic vaulted ceilings crown the living and dining rooms. In the living room, a sofa, love seat and chair sit around a glass-topped coffee table for a cozy conversation area. Lots of natural light warms the space.

A round wood dining table with fabric chairs gives the area a rich look along with a glass-fronted display cabinet and artwork.

The Italian-themed kitchen features 42-inch dark wood cabinetry with crown molding, Corian countertops and white appliances. A large window above the sink offers views of the outdoors. Homeowners serve a casual Italian meal at the table in the breakfast nook where sliding doors access the brick paver patio.

This space is open to the family room where a large sectional, media center and optional wet bar make a great entertaining space. A wood-burning fireplace is optional. The laundry room and half bath with pedestal sink sit off the family room.

With a fishing motif, the optional den occupies a private spot on the main level.

The upstairs loft features a whimsical playing cards theme and is furnished with a desk and bookcases.

Topped with a cathedral ceiling, the master suite features a four-poster bed with a tan bed cover loaded with pillows and a chair for relaxing before retiring. The room also includes two closets and private bath with two sinks, tub and private area for commode, and walk-in shower with seat. The optional glamour bath includes a whirlpool tub, separate shower with glass door, large vanity with dual bowl cultured marble top and a linen closet. 

Secondary bedrooms feature a boy's room for the motorcycle enthusiast and a room for the horse lover. A full hall bath serves the secondary bedrooms.

Gerstad Builders offers a variety of optional features in all its homes including skylights, three-car garage (per plan), wood-burning fireplace, volume ceilings, custom millwork, imported ceramic tile, Corian or granite counter tops, hardwood flooring and English or walkout basements.

Other plans offered in the original series of homes include five ranch homes: Charleston from $192,990 with 1,690 square feet; Cobblestone from $194,990 with 1,782 square feet; Lexington 2 from $214,990 with 1,888 square feet; Alexandria from $222,990 with 2,118 square feet; Jefferson from $217,990 with 2,170 square feet.

Two-story homes include Barrington from $213,990 with 1,872 square feet; Devonshire from $222,490 with 2,235 square feet; Hampton from $227,490 with 2,640 square feet; Madison from $244,490 with 2,929 square feet; and Georgian from $254,990 with 3,177 square feet.

The sales center is open from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and weekdays by appointment. For more information, call (815) 678-2222 or visit gerstadbuilders.com.

Price range: $169,990 to $254,990

Square footage: 1,292 to 3,177

Schools: Richmond Grade and Nippersink Middle schools in Nippersink Elementary District 2 and Richmond-Burton Community in Richmond-Burton Community High School District 157.