The Reserve In St. Charles Offers Brand-New Ranch Homes And Big Yards

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After touring countless new-home models and visiting open houses on and off for a couple of years, Jim and Judy DiVerde both knew “this was it” when they entered the Clover model at The Reserve in St. Charles. Designed by Meritus Homes, the ranch had all the features they had been searching for so they promptly decided to build one from the ground up.

“We had been seriously looking at houses for about six months, knowing at some point we wanted to leave behind our two-story in South Elgin in favor of the convenience of single-level living,” said Judy, adding that finding a ranch had been particularly challenging in the resale market. “We felt comfortable the minute we walked in.”

The Clover is one of five designs currently available at The Reserve in St Charles, where Meritus Homes is building 88 semicustom single-family homes. Buyers have been moving to community from all across the northwest suburbs, resulting in approximately 75 percent of Meritus’ homes having been sold. Although only a limited number of sites remain, they include prime locations with several backing to open space.

The ranch and two-story plans feature 2,491 to 3,716 square feet of living space, three or four bedrooms, two to 3-1/2 baths, and two- or three-car garages. Base prices range from $545,900 to $602,900.

With 2,491 square feet of living space, the Clover ranch has three bedrooms and 2-1/2 baths. The center of attention in this elegant single-story home is the living room, which flows into the designer kitchen and adjoining dining area. A center island, pantry and pocket office…perfect for planning meals or crafts…make the kitchen functional while a covered porch in back is ideal for outdoor dining or simply relaxing. The owner’s suite has a walk-in closet and private luxury bath. The second bedroom has its own bath and walk-in closet, too. The third bedroom can be upgraded to an optional den.

One of the DiVerdes favorite features in their new home is the open-concept layout, “which is what everyone wants nowadays,” said Judy. The couple loves the tall windows and high ceilings in the main living areas, which make the already good-size rooms live even larger.

“We spend a lot of time sitting at our extended island in the kitchen…eating, watching TV,” said Jim. “It’s definitely a focal point of the home and we can’t wait to welcome guests over again.”

Jim also likes the deep pour basement, even though the couple have no plans to finish the lower level. “It feels lighter, taller, more comfortable—not dark and damp,” he explained. “And it’s huge.”

Upgrades Jim and Judy made to their Clover included bumping out the dining area with a bay window, adding a fireplace in the living room, increasing the garage to three stalls from the standard two, and converting the front bedroom into an office with double French doors.

While Jim and Judy were excited to finish their home to their tastes, Judy noted that “Meritus Homes already includes so many wonderful features as standard.”

No stranger to new construction, Jim and Judy had built their prior home in South Elgin about 25 years ago. This time around, they looked forward to picking out their finishes and adding their stamp to the Clover plan.

“The building process was actually quite fun, not stressful at all,” said Judy. “Everyone at Meritus Homes…from the sales consultant to the construction manager…was knowledgeable, friendly and so easy to work with. They offered us excellent advice and construction went smoothly.”

Because of its ranch designs, The Reserve in St. Charles has been popular with retired couples as well as those attracted to the convenience of single-level living. The neighborhood also is home to many families with children thanks to its location in highly rated School District #303 and its large homesites—many of which span up to one-third of an acre—that provide big back yards.

“A main reason we chose The Reserve in St Charles was because we wanted to be surrounded by openness,” said Judy. “Our homesite looks out over an open area plus our yard is quite large, so we have a great deal of privacy. One of the problems we kept running into with resales was smaller lots and houses being too close together.”

The Reserve in St. Charles also boasts natural and recreational amenities such as ponds, paths and a park. Jim is an avid biker and appreciates having trails right within his own neighborhood where he can ride or stroll with Judy.

“Staying in the Fox Valley and being near the river was important to us when moving,” said Judy. “Now we enjoy living close to downtown St. Charles. And more shopping, restaurants and everyday conveniences can be found along the Randall Road corridor, too.”

The Reserve in St. Charles is located on the west side of Rt. 31 between Red Gate and Silver Glen roads. To visit, take Rt. 31 and turn west onto Reserve Drive and proceed to the model and sales office at 775 Reserve Drive.

A decorated model is available to tour so home shoppers can see the stylish designs and feel Meritus Homes’ superior level of construction firsthand. Sales hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday through Wednesday (closed Thursday and Friday).

For more information, call (224) 634-4054 or visit www.MeritusHomebuilders.com.

Read original article HERE.

Homebuyers Moving To Enclave At Mill Creek From All Around Chicagoland

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A central location in the heart of DuPage County—near multiple highways, plenty of conveniences and outdoor recreational areas—is making The Enclave at Mill Creek a favorite with new-home buyers from all around Chicagoland.

Recent residents have moved into the community on the north side of Army Trail Boulevard from towns like South Barrington, Palatine, Arlington Heights, Schaumburg, and even Chicago. They agree that being within minutes of Interstates 355 and 290 as well as Ill. Hwy. 83/Kingery Highway makes traveling around the suburbs, and even into the city, convenient and easy. Local amenities are abundant, as well. Restaurants, forest preserves, entertainment, and shopping can be found nearby while Oak Brook Center, Yorktown Center and Woodfield Mall are all about the same distance away.

“We’d been in the northwest suburbs and Cook County for the entire 45 years of our marriage,” said Ken Siok, who along with his wife Sandy were the first people to move into Phase II at The Enclave at Mill Creek. He admitted it was a big decision for the couple to leave Arlington Heights where they had lived for more than 30 years to relocate to DuPage County to be near family.

“Now, we’re less than 10 minutes from our daughter in Glen Ellyn and 15 minutes from our two sons in Elmhurst.”

Meritus Homes is building 87 low-maintenance homes at The Enclave at Mill Creek with four designs available in Phase II. Ranch plans have 1,603 to 2,154 square feet of living space; two, three or four bedrooms; and two full baths for base prices that range from $406,900 to $449,900. Second-story options add 866 to 1,090 more square feet of living space, one or two bedrooms or a loft, and another bath on the upper level. This brings the square footage up to 2,620 to 3,077 with base prices that range from $485,900 to $513,900.

The Enclave at Mill Creek offers a rare opportunity to build a brand-new home in an established, close-in suburb. Often, home shoppers looking in these sought-after areas are limited to existing houses that need updating or rehabbing.

“This is our first newly built home and we were excited to pick out our finishes and add our own personality,” said Ken, adding that the Marigold plan they chose to build already had so many of the features they desired that they didn’t have to make many upgrades. A comfortable ranch with 1,754 square feet of space, The Marigold boasts an open concept layout, single-level living, and it’s detached. The couple opted to spend their money on options that were not cosmetic but structural, like a front porch elevation and deep pour basement.

“It’s a blank slate to work with,” Ken said of the basement, which he plans to finish at a later date so the grandchildren have their own play space. “And thanks to the taller ceiling, it won’t feel like a basement when done.”

“It just feels like that’s the way a home is supposed to be,” Sandy said, noting that they toured other models at The Enclave at Mill Creek but always came back to the Marigold. “As soon as we walked into the model we were sold.”

She loves the kitchen with its abundant cabinets, big center island, full suite of stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, and elegant touches. She also likes how it flows into the dining room and family room. This modern design allows for flexibility for everyday living and entertaining.

Empty nesters, the Sioks appreciate the luxury owner’s suite with his and her closets plus a private bath—a feature their old house did not provide. And for when family comes to visit, the second bedroom and adjacent full bath are on the other side of the home. The space can be used as a library, office or den, as well.

Even though new construction was not originally the plan, Ken and Sandy are glad they made the decision to build with Meritus Homes. Their home is built to exacting standards with energy-efficient construction for greater comfort and energy savings than older houses. This includes Tyvek® house wrap, ice and water shield protection for the roof, a damp-proofed foundation, 40-gallon high-efficiency water heater, R-21 wall and R-49 ceiling insulation, and 2-by-6 exterior wall construction.

Interiors have nine-foot first-floor ceilings, Colonist doors, decorative touches such as rounded drywall corners and brushed nickel finishes, central air conditioning, and full basements all as standard features.

Exteriors have classic elements such as brick and stone accents, and some have covered entries or front porches to provide shelter from inclement weather. Front, side and rear yards are fully sodded plus a landscaping package is included with each new home to give it instant curb appeal and complement the established character of DuPage County.

The Enclave at Mill Creek also boasts abundant green space…including Westwood Creek, three ponds and a scenic sitting spot…with more than two thirds of the ranch-style homes backing to natural areas and open space. Phase II, where the Sioks chose a homesite on a cul-de-sac, is tucked back over the bridge and their site abuts open space so it has the privacy they were accustomed to coming from a large yard of nearly an acre.

For a monthly fee, the homeowners’ association handles snow removal and performs lawn care for all homesites as well as maintains common area landscaping. This carefree lifestyle allows Ken and Sandy to spend more time with their nine grandchildren now that they live so close to them.

The entrance to The Enclave at Mill Creek is on the north side of Army Trail Boulevard at Links Drive and the sales office is at 758 Fairway Drive. (Enter 601 Army Trail Boulevard into GPS system to find the site.)

Two decorated models are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

For more information, call (331) 225-3646 or visit www.MeritusHomebuilders.com.

Read original article HERE.

The Enclave At Mill Creek Draws Couple To DuPage County

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It was a big decision for Ken and Sandy Siok to leave Arlington Heights where they had lived for more than 30 years to relocate to DuPage County to be near family. So they were thrilled to find The Enclave at Mill Creek, a community of low-maintenance new homes being developed by Meritus Homes at the intersection of Army Trail Boulevard and North Mill Street.

“We’d been in the northwest suburbs and Cook County for the entire 45 years of our marriage,” said Ken. “Now, at The Enclave, we’re less than 10 minutes from our daughter in Glen Ellyn and 15 minutes from our two sons in Elmhurst.”

In addition to being close to their nine grandchildren, Ken and Sandy have more time to spend with them thanks to the carefree lifestyle at The Enclave at Mill Creek. For a monthly fee, the homeowners’ association handles snow removal and performs lawn care for all homesites as well as maintains common area landscaping.

The community boasts abundant green space…including Westwood Creek, three ponds and a scenic sitting spot…with more than two thirds of the ranch-style homes backing to natural areas and open space. Phase II, where the Sioks chose a homesite on a cul-de-sac, is tucked back over the bridge and their site abuts open space so it has the privacy they were accustomed to coming from a large yard of nearly an acre.

As the first buyers in Phase II, the couple said it’s been really fun to see the neighborhood start to take shape. In all, Meritus Homes is building 87 homes at The Enclave at Mill Creek with four designs available in Phase II. Ranch plans have 1,603 to 2,154 square feet of living space; two, three or four bedrooms; and two full baths for base prices that range from $406,900 to $449,900. Second-story options add 866 to 1,090 more square feet of living space, one or two bedrooms or a loft, and another bath on the upper level. This brings the square footage up to 2,620 to 3,077 with base prices that range from $485,900 to $513,900.

The Sioks built a Marigold, which is a comfortable ranch with 1,754 square feet of space. It has everything they wanted—an open concept layout, single-level living, and it’s detached. Sandy loves the kitchen with its abundant cabinets, big center island, full suite of stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, and elegant touches. She also likes how it flows into the dining room and family room. This modern design allows for flexibility for everyday living and entertaining.

“It just feels like that’s the way a home is supposed to be,” she said, noting that they toured other models at The Enclave at Mill Creek but always came back to the Marigold. “As soon as we walked into the model we were sold.”

Empty nesters, the Sioks like the luxury owner’s suite with his and her closets plus a private bath—a feature their old house did not provide. And for when family comes to visit, the second bedroom and adjacent full bath are on the other side of the home. The space can be used as a library, office or den, as well.

“This is our first newly built home and we were excited to pick out our finishes and add our own personality,” said Ken.

However, the Marigold was so much what Ken and Sandy desired that they didn’t have to make many upgrades—opting to spend their money on options that were not cosmetic but structural, like a front porch elevation and deep pour basement.

“It’s a blank slate to work with,” he said of the basement, which he plans to finish at a later date so the grandchildren have their own play space. “And thanks to the taller ceiling, it won’t feel like a basement when done.”

Even though new construction was not originally the plan, Ken and Sandy are glad they made the decision to build with Meritus Homes.

“The people have been great to work with,” said Ken. “They made the process stress-free since we had not done this before. They were patient when guiding us with selections so we never felt overwhelmed. Everyone has been professional, cooperative and engaging. It’s been a very positive experience.”

Plus, their home is built to the exacting standards that signify a Meritus home. For example, Meritus homes showcase energy-efficient construction for greater comfort and energy savings than older houses. This includes Tyvek® house wrap, ice and water shield protection for the roof, a damp-proofed foundation, 40-gallon high-efficiency water heater, R-21 wall and R-49 ceiling insulation, and 2-by-6 exterior wall construction.

Interiors have nine-foot first-floor ceilings, Colonist doors, decorative touches such as rounded drywall corners and brushed nickel finishes, central air conditioning, and full basements all as standard features.

Exteriors have classic elements such as brick and stone accents, and some have covered entries or front porches to provide shelter from inclement weather. Front, side and rear yards are fully sodded plus a landscaping package is included with each new home to give it instant curb appeal and complement the established character of DuPage County.

Ken and Sandy have been impressed with all the local amenities they have discovered—like restaurants, forest preserves, recreational opportunities, entertainment, and everyday conveniences. Shopping at Oak Brook Center, Yorktown Center and Woodfield Mall are all about the same distance away. Plus, being within minutes of Interstates 355 and 290 as well as Ill. Hwy. 83/Kingery Highway makes it an easy drive to just about anywhere.

The entrance to The Enclave at Mill Creek is on the north side of Army Trail Boulevard at Links Drive and the sales office is at 758 Fairway Drive. (Enter 601 Army Trail Boulevard into GPS system to find the site.)

Two decorated models are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

For more information, call (331) 225-3646 or visit www.MeritusHomebuilders.com.

Read original article HERE.