Silver Leaf homes now for sale
Naperville-based J. Lawrence Homes has started selling its new single-family home community, Silver Leaf, in Joliet.
Located on Houbolt Road, just south of Route 52, Silver Leaf offers five floor plans that measure from 2,019 to 2,674 square feet and have two to four bedrooms, 2 to 2½ baths, and attached two-car garages. They are base-priced from the $220,000s to the $260,000s. Amenities include several ponds, a park and a walking trail that connects to Troy Heritage Trail Elementary School.
Last year, Joliet was named as one of the fastest-growing cities in the country and today remains the fastest-growing in Illinois. J. Lawrence Homes' president John Wozniak said the city is popular because homes offer a great value and employment opportunities are plentiful. In fact, the creation of the Will County Center for Economic Development in Joliet has led to so many new jobs that Will County ranks 36th nationally for new job creation.
"As people come to Will County for jobs, they see it is a great place to live, too. In Joliet, families can afford a good-sized home in a great community," Wozniak said.
The 2,508-square-foot Fairfield plan, with four bedrooms and 2½ baths, features separate living and formal dining space as well as a 20-by-12-foot family room. It also has an eat-in kitchen with an optional island. Buyers can customize the space by adding a breakfast bay to the kitchen and a fireplace to the family room.
"Included in the plan are the features a family wants, such as formal and informal space, and a kitchen large enough to serve as the center of the home. Then we have options that add a little something extra, like more sunlight and a bit more square footage with the breakfast bay, or the traditional touch of the fireplace," he said.
On the second level, buyers will find more functional features including walk-in closets in the master suite and two secondary bedrooms, a hallway linen closet, a secondary bath with a dual bowl vanity and a laundry room.
"More and more new homes today have second-level laundry because, basically, it makes sense," said James Chittaro, chief financial officer for J. Lawrence Homes. "The second floor is where the clothes, sheets and bath towels typically are, so it's a more practical location."
Another feature of the second level is the lofted hall that opens to the foyer below.
"People can peek down to see who is at the front door, plus it gives a more open and airy feeling to both the entry and the upper level," Chittaro said.
Another floor plan expected to be a favorite among buyers is the 2,117-square-foot Dashwood. This home also has four bedrooms, 2½ baths and an attached two-car garage. It is priced from the $220,000s.
In this plan, the builder has included an additional family room on the second level. "Jim and I both have families, so we know that what the parents want to watch on TV isn't always what the kids want to watch," Wozniak said. "Having this extra family room for TV or as a place for homework or games can help keep the peace."
Other plans feature a den or optional extra bedrooms, while all homes include a basement.
Two models are currently on-site. To visit Silver Leaf, take I-55 to Route 52 and head east. At Houbolt Road, turn right and proceed heading south toward Silver Leaf's entrance, which will be on the left side of the road. The sales center is at 618 Silver Leaf Drive. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. For more information, call (630) 281-4720 or visit www.jlawrencehomes.com.