Being able to create a home that perfectly suits your lifestyle is one of the main advantages new construction has over resale. That’s exactly why Renzo and Franca Fontana decided to build a brand-new Waterleaf from the ground up at The Enclave at Mill Creek.

The Meritus Homes community, now in Phase II, is an unexpected oasis in the heart of DuPage County. It features 87 low-maintenance homes and abundant green space, including Westwood Creek, three ponds and a scenic sitting spot. The Fontanas’ site is adjacent to a pond and backs up to the creek, giving the family a sense of seclusion and relaxation.

The Waterleaf is one of four ranch plans that offer 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 $413,400 to $457,400. 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 $496,925 to $520,650.

“The Waterleaf has everything we want and need,” said Renzo. In addition to an open layout, the secondary bedrooms and full bath are separated from the owner’s suite in the 2,154-square-foot ranch. This is the ideal setup for Renzo and Franca, whose son Michael also lives in the home. The family is using the third bedroom as a study where Michael can go to watch television or get on his iPad. Additionally, wide hallways make it easy for Michael to maneuver his wheelchair.

“What was most important to us was that Meritus Homes was willing to make semicustom changes to accommodate Michael’s wheelchair,” said Renzo. For example, they built a ramp in the garage, enlarged the doors to Michael’s bedroom and bath, and expanded and added a seat to his shower. “Everyone at Meritus Homes was extremely helpful and responsive. The entire home buying and building process went remarkably smoothly.”

The Waterleaf’s open-concept layout also is perfect for entertaining.

“We had our first big family gathering recently and the open floor plan made everyone feel comfortable,” said Franca. She added that the high ceilings in the family room make the space live larger and expansive windows along with white cabinets make the kitchen feel light and bright. The basement is huge, too, and offers plenty of storage and play space for the couple’s grandchildren.

“We were at a stage in life where a ranch was appealing,” Renzo explained. “It was becoming more difficult to get Michael and his wheelchair up and down the stairs so single-level living was at the top of our new-home wish list.”

The couple also wanted to be closer to their grandchildren in Elmhurst. After living in their two-story Fox River Grove home for more than 30 years, they were ready to leave behind the yard work, pool and deck upkeep—and stairs—in favor of a more carefree lifestyle.

“We had planned on moving once we were both retired, but the pandemic caused Franca to be laid off from her job,” said Renzo. “After casually looking for a house for about a year, this gave us the push to do it now.”

While the couple did much of their home searching online, the sales center at The Enclave at Mill Creek was open so they were able to come out and tour the models. They signed a contract in April and closed on their new home in October…a few weeks ahead of schedule.

Coming from McHenry County, Renzo and Franca are impressed with all that DuPage County has to offer. Nearby are numerous restaurants, shopping centers and entertainment opportunities along with forest preserves. DuPage County has very good special needs programs, as well. Living at The Enclave at Mill Creek means that Interstates 355 and 290 plus Ill. Hwy. 83/Kingery Highway are all just minutes away, making travel around the suburbs, and even into the city, convenient and easy.

With so many benefits, it’s no wonder residents are moving to the community from towns as far away as South Barrington, Palatine, Arlington Heights, Schaumburg, and even Chicago.

“The people here are really friendly,” said Renzo. “We’ve mapped out a 3-1/2-mile path through the neighborhood where Franca and I walk and Michael rides his recumbent bike on a regular basis. Everyone who sees us out and about waves and says hi. It’s a warm sense of community here.”

The Fontanas have more time to spend enjoying outdoor activities thanks to the low-maintenance lifestyle at The Enclave at Mill Creek. For a monthly fee, the homeowners’ association handles lawn care for all homesites as well as maintains common area landscaping. Front, side and rear yards come fully sodded plus a landscaping package is included with each new home to give it instant curb appeal.

To complement the established character of DuPage County, exteriors have classic architectural styling and decorative elements such as brick and stone accents, and some homes have covered entries or front porches. 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 as standard features.

All homes at The Enclave at Mill Creek are built to the exacting standards that signify a Meritus home. 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.

Two decorated models are open at The Enclave at Mill Creek from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

The community’s entrance is on the north side of Army Trail Boulevard at Links Drive and the sales office is at 758 Fairway Drive in Addison. (Enter 601 Army Trail Boulevard into GPS system to find the site.)

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

Read original article HERE.

An open-concept layout accented by soaring ceilings and expansive windows in the main living areas gives the Clover ranch at The Reserve in St. Charles an unprecedented sense of spaciousness and elegance, making it a favorite among homebuyers of all ages from all across the northwest suburbs.

Two of those buyers were Jim and Judy DiVerde from South Elgin who instantly knew “this was it” when they entered the Clover model from Meritus Homes.

“We felt comfortable the minute we walked in,” said Judy.

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. 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.

Approximately 75 percent of the builder’s homes having been sold and although only a limited number of sites remain, they include prime locations with several backing to open space. Meritus Homes even has a home, the Dunberry, under construction and ready for delivery this summer. This quick move-in home has a three-car split-bay garage, deep pour basement, 10-foot first-floor ceilings, dual zone heating and A/C, and a tray ceiling in the owner’s bedroom. Not only is it filled with luxury appointments, there is still time for buyers to make their interior selections to personalize the plan to their tastes.

For the DiVerdes, the Clover plan had all the features the had been searching for so they promptly decided to build one from the ground up. The couple had toured countless new-home models and visited open houses on and off for a few of years and finding a ranch was particularly challenging in the resale market.

“We had been seriously looking at houses for about six months, knowing at some point we wanted to leave behind our two-story in favor of the convenience of single-level living,” said Judy.

With 2,491 square feet of living space on one floor, 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 the couple was 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.

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.

Planning to expand a family. Children reaching school age. These are the life changes that prompted Michael McCarthy and Ashley Schremser to build their new homes at The Reserve in St. Charles. While they moved two years apart, the brother and sister both chose the Meritus Homes neighborhood because it offered everything they wanted—a St. Charles address, familiar schools, big homesites, fresh home designs, and first-rate construction.

Michael was the first to move to The Reserve in St. Charles after growing out of his townhome. With a daughter and hopes for more children, he and his wife were ready for a larger home and yard. The Reserve in St. Charles provided both. The couple decided on a 2,491-square-foot ranch that backs up to open space. Today, their daughter and son…who they welcomed in May 2020…have plenty of room to play ball and run around yet stay within sight.

The McCarthy’s ranch is one of five designs Meritus Homes is offering at The Reserve in St Charles. 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 for base prices that range from $545,900 to $602,900.

In all, Meritus Homes is building 88 semicustom single-family homes on sites that span up to one-third of an acre. The neighborhood also boasts natural and recreational amenities such as ponds, bike trails and a park. Approximately 75 percent of Meritus’ homes have been sold and although a limited number of sites remain, they include prime locations with several backing to open space.

“Where we live now, we have houses practically right in our back yard, so we knew we wanted more outdoor space in our new home,” said Michael’s sister Ashley. She and her husband purchased at The Reserve in St. Charles last year. “Not only is our homesite much bigger, we back up to a berm with grass and trees for extra privacy.”

“Our goal was always to move before our oldest son started kindergarten,” Ashley explained. Happy with the education she received in St. Charles schools…including St. Charles North High School…she wanted her children to attend schools in District 303, too.

Undeterred by the pandemic, the couple kept to their timeline.

“Despite everything that happened in 2020, we chose to stay on track with our plan to move in spring or summer of 2021,” she continued. “Meritus Homes is doing an excellent job of keeping construction on schedule and we should close by May.”

Another benefit of working with Meritus Homes, according to Michael, is that the builder was willing to make design and structural changes—more than most allow. In fact, he made some custom changes to his kitchen, reconfiguring one wall to accommodate a larger refrigerator and freezer to create his wife’s ultimate gourmet kitchen. He also added a bay window in his dining room.

Being able to personalize their home was one of the reasons Ashley and her husband, also named Michael, favored new construction as well.

“We looked at some resale houses in the area but none had everything—some had one feature but not another, and vice versa. Building allowed us to get everything just the way we wanted,” she said.

The family upgraded flooring, carpeting and cabinetry to match their tastes and upgraded from a standard to finished basement so that her husband, who works from home, could have a secluded office.

The Schremsers chose the Chesapeake, which is a great plan for large households or anyone who desires a lot of space thanks to its 3,188 square feet, four bedrooms and 2-1/2 baths. The design is versatile with a flex room that can serve as a study, library or office plus a craft room and mud room that provide more space for activities. The two-story foyer makes an instant impression and a butler’s pantry unites the dining room with the dinette and gourmet kitchen, which has a walk-in pantry and huge center island. The adjacent family room has a fireplace and is a cozy spot for relaxing. On the second floor, double doors make a grand entrance into the owner’s suite, which has a walk-in closet and luxurious bath with soaker tub and separate shower. Three additional bedrooms, each with a walk-in closet, share a hall bath. The laundry room is upstairs for convenience and the three-car garage loads from the side for curb appeal.

“With two young boys, we prefer the bedrooms being upstairs, away from the bustle in the main living areas,” said Ashley.

Michael, on the other hand, opted for the convenience of having everything on one level and built a Clover. The 2,491-square-foot ranch has three bedrooms, 2-1/2 baths and an open-concept layout that lives large. The center of attention in this elegant single-story home is the living room, which flows into the designer kitchen and adjoining dining room. An angled island, pantry and pocket office…perfect for planning meals or crafts…make the kitchen functional and fabulous. 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 also has its own bath and walk-in closet. In addition to the full basement, extra storage space is abundant in the garage.

“We adore the open floor plan with the kitchen and family room flowing into each other,” said Michael, who plans to finish his basement, which will nearly double his overall living space.

“We looked at a few existing houses over a six- to eight-week period but nowhere else measured up so our decision was quick and easy,” he explained.

Michael and Ashley grew up in St. Charles so it was a natural choice to live in the west suburban city and be near their parents and long-time friends when they had families of their own. Plus, they appreciate being only minutes from St. Charles’ quaint downtown as well as shopping, restaurants and everyday conveniences along the Randall Road corridor.

Now settled in, Michael is excited to soon have Ashley living right down the street and having the cousins so close by.

“It’s very convenient when we need a babysitter,” they agreed.

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.