Neighborhood spotlight shines on Chapel Hill
Kelli and Robert Lococo lived on a busy road in Palatine when they started looking for a larger home and yard for their growing family.
Their search led them to purchase a nice home in the Chapel Hill subdivision in Deer Park where their large yard offered a lot of space for the family, which grew to five boys.
"The property was a big thing," Kelli Lococo said. "We used it for stuff for the kids. We put up a playground and later a basketball court.
"It turned out that, in our small cul-de-sac, one family had four kids about the same age as ours, which was great because we wanted our kids to be able to go outside and have someone to play with.
"At that time (13 years ago), there were more young kids in the neighborhood. Now we're all a little older. People move; things change."
Deer Park is a highly sought after place to live. It's in the Lake Zurich school district, and, with a Barrington ZIP code, residents get an acre of land, said Corinne Guest, managing broker and owner of Barrington Realty Co.
"Chapel Hill is especially attractive to Lake Zurich residents who want to upgrade their house on an acre of land but don't want to move out of the school district."
Along with large lots where children can play, recreation abounds at Chapel Hill Park with tennis courts and a green grass park area big enough for kids to run wild, play a soccer game or even fly a kite.
Also, a big attraction is living across from Cuba Marsh Forest Preserve, which attracts bird watchers and nature lovers and those who enjoy the walking and biking trails.
South of the village, the Deer Grove Forest Preserve offers picnic areas, baseball diamonds, fishing, biking and hiking trails and toboggan hill.
Situated at the northwest corner of Ela and Cuba roads, Chapel Hill has the feel of a country suburban neighborhood yet is close to shopping and other amenities in Deer Park and Lake Zurich.
Built in late 1980s and early '90s by Landmark Homes, known for its millwork, panel molding and chair rails, Chapel Hill features 52 luxury homes with 2,400 to 3,100 square feet and three-car garages. The semi-custom homes are mostly Colonials with a few Georgians and traditional designs.
"The subdivision has good curb appeal with brick fronts and a lot of upgraded elevations," Guest said. "The price range sells really well, and homes are larger than those in Lake Zurich and comfortable with the midrange homes in Barrington. Homes are 25 years old, which is not old by Barrington standards and is the typical age in Deer Park."
Many residents have updated their homes to keep them current. Even before they moved in, the Lococos replaced the carpeting and took out everything blue. Since then, they have continued to upgrade their home and have put on two additions.
"We loved the house when we bought it, and we love it even more now," Kelli Lococo said. "This is where we will stay. We'll be here forever."
Residents of Chapel Hill are very close to Deer Park Town Center, a destination for shopping, dining and a night out at a movie.
Also, Deer Park showcases the Vehe Farm, an Illinois Centennial Farm first farmed by the Vehe family in 1866.
Listing sheet
<span class="fact box text bold">Price range:</span> $550,000 to $600,000
<span class="fact box text bold">Age of homes:</span> 25 years
<span class="fact box text bold">Schools:</span> Isaac Fox Elementary, Lake Zurich Middle and Lake Zurich High schools in Lake Zurich Unit District 95
<span class="fact box text bold">Park district:</span> None