It’s Fall Season And Ranch and 2 Story Home Living Are Easy At The Reserve In St. Charles

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Ready for fall…and a new home? Then you’re in luck. Two brand-new, easy-living ranch homes are ready for immediate move-in at The Reserve in St. Charles, a community of semicustom residences from Meritus Homes.

The Marquis offers 2,610 square feet of living space all on one level, three bedrooms plus a den, 2-1/2 baths, a deep pour basement, and is filled with upscale appointments such as 10-foot ceilings, eight-foot doors, a fireplace, deluxe master bath with walk-in shower and freestanding tub, and gourmet kitchen with built-in Bosch stainless steel appliances and custom cabinetry. Ready now, it is priced at $594,900.

The Clover also offers single-level living with 2,491 square feet of space, three bedrooms, 2-1/2 baths, hardwood flooring in main living areas, 10-foot ceilings, eight-foot solid-core doors, a bay window in the dining room, tray ceiling in the foyer, sumptuous master bath with oversize shower and quartz countertops, and gourmet kitchen with built-in Bosch appliances and quartz countertops. This home has a deep pour walkout basement and backs up to open space and a pond. It is priced at $599,900 and is move-in ready.

Overall, Meritus Homes is offering five floor plans at The Reserve in St. Charles. Ranch and two-story designs have 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 $519,900 to $569,900.

It was the Clover ranch that attracted Carly and Geoff Reisner to The Reserve in St. Charles after what began as a casual search for a single-family home. Living in a townhome in Elgin, the couple was just starting their home search when they learned about the new ranch model Meritus Homes was debuting at The Reserve in St. Charles. The moment they toured the Clover model they decided to purchase.

“Suddenly, what we expected to take six to eight months turned into us putting a deposit down within six weeks,” said Carly Reisner. “Even before we walked into the Clover model we knew no other home was going to be good enough. And we were right.”

The Reisners closed on their new Meritus home in September of 2018 and have been thrilled with their decision from day one.

“Geoff’s sister lives in The Reserve so we were familiar with the neighborhood,” said Carly. “We wanted to stay in the Fox Valley area near our families which made this location highly desirable.”

The Clover is an elegant ranch with an open-concept layout. The center of attention is the everyday living space, which features the designer kitchen with center island flowing into the adjoining dining room and spacious living room. A covered porch in back is ideal for outdoor dining or simply relaxing. The master suite has a walk-in closet and private luxury bath. A second bedroom also has its own bath and walk-in closet while the third bedroom can be converted into a den. In addition to the full basement, extra storage space is abundant in the garage.

“We found the Clover’s layout appealing,” said Carly. “We joked that we’re too young for a ranch but Geoff grew up in a ranch and his mom told us that we would love raising a family in one.”

“The Clover is relaxed and welcoming, with no formal living or dining room that we won’t use,” she continued. “While it’s casual, it has a luxurious presence thanks to the 10-foot ceilings and fine details. Plus, the whole back of the house is windows that let in lots of natural light. No detail was left unconsidered—there’s even a window in the pantry.”

Carly noted that the couple did make some upgrades like adding a tray ceiling in the master bedroom and an octagonal tray ceiling in the foyer—which creates drama. They also added a bay window in the dining area and upgraded to a deep pour basement from the standard basement. They added a sliding door between the master bath closet and the neighboring laundry room to make doing laundry extremely convenient. The couple turned the third bedroom into an office, as well.

“We really enjoyed working with Meritus Homes because of their flexibility,” said Carly. “We were able to make semicustom changes.

“In the model, the owner’s bath only had a shower,” she continued. “We worked with Meritus Homes to reconfigure the space to include a freestanding tub and separate vanities. Now Geoff feels like he’s in a luxury hotel or spa.”

Coming from a townhome, the Reisners had never purchased new construction before. Carly believes that working with a mid-size locally based builder over a big box economy builder was a huge advantage.

“With Meritus Homes, I received individualized attention from people who had the ability to solve problems, which are inevitable when building a house,” she explained. “Everyone from the salesperson to construction manager was a pleasure to work with. They were patient, thorough and provided us with answers that were in alignment with our goals. We are really happy and the process has been a breeze.”

While the Reisners built their home from the ground up, Meritus Homes has two homes ready for quick move-in at the Reserve in St. Charles: the two-story Marquis priced at $594,900 and the Clover ranch priced at $599,500.

Nearly six months after moving in, the Reisners are thankful every day for their decision.

“We can get to two downtowns—St. Charles and Geneva—within 10 to 15 minutes,” said Carly. “Both offer amazing food, a quaint and warm feel, culture, and charming shops. At the same time, everyday conveniences like Target and Costco are nearby along the Randall Road corridor.”

Because of the large homesites that provide big back yards and its location in highly rated School District #303, The Reserve in St Charles is home to many families with young children. However, the neighborhood also has retired couples who have been attracted to the ranch homes. Carly described the mix of residents as a very social group…inviting, warm and kind.

To visit The Reserve in St. Charles, take Rt. 31 and turn west onto Reserve Drive, which is between Red Gate Road and Silver Glen Road. Proceed to the sales office at 775 Reserve Drive. A decorated model is open to tour from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Home shoppers are invited to visit the property and tour the quick move-in homes, which are ideal for anyone who has already sold their current house and is on a short timeline to relocate.

Boomers are driving accessibility in housing

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By Jean Murphy
Daily Herald Correspondent

Trekking up a flight of stairs several times each day is becoming a chore for more and more baby boomers who have suffered sports or military-related injuries — or just mishaps of one kind or another — over the years. Illnesses of various types can also make the daily trek difficult.

Consequently, many are now seeking one-level living or at least a home with the master bedroom on the main floor.

First-floor master

Steve and Debby Jacobs moved into a new ranch home at Fisher Farm, an Airhart Construction community in Winfield, nearly two years ago. They now have a three-bedroom ranch overlooking a pond. They use one of the bedrooms as an office and love the screened porch they added as an option.

“We wanted to downsize to a ranch with a finished basement because we were tired of doing the stairs all the time,” Debby explained.

“Our previous home only had a half bath on the main floor so we started thinking about a move about five years before we actually did it,” Steve added.

They checked out communities of all kinds in the surrounding suburbs but they all had their limitations, according to the Jacobs. “And we were both teachers who enjoy being around kids. So we didn’t really want an age-restricted community,” he continued.

They stayed away from existing ranches built during the 1950s and 1960s because they didn’t want to take on a huge renovation project and didn’t want to maintain the large parcels of land on which many of them sit.

At their Fisher Farm home, the Jacobs like the fact that all outdoor maintenance is handled by the homeowners’ association and also that the community features homes of all sizes and descriptions, not just ranches. Debby didn’t want to move to a “cookie cutter” community where all the homes looked alike.

“We briefly considered adding an elevator to our previous home, but there was just no obvious place to put one,” Steve explained.

“And we didn’t need so much space anymore,” Debby continued.

“We are really glad we made the move. We are very happy at Fisher Farm,” he added.

Flex spaces

Court Airhart, president of Warrenville-based Airhart Construction, said that they are seeing many baby boomers who are re-evaluating the spaces they need and are opting to downsize by losing bedrooms. Instead, they are opting for multiuse rooms like dens or offices with room for a wall bed or a sleeper couch or even large air mattress when guests spend the night.

Some are forgoing a second floor entirely, while others are choosing a first-floor master suite and are placing their guest bedrooms on the second floor, Airhart said.

“That way they can do their day-to-day living on the main level and only go upstairs to prepare for and clean up after guests,” he explained.

Flexible spaces that can meet a number of needs are also quite popular in all plans — spaces that can function as part of the dining space one day and as part of the family room another day.

Airhart is currently building communities in Wheaton, Warrenville and Winfield and they have an architect on staff who can customize plans to meet buyers’ requests.

While 75 percent of their ranch-purchasers are empty nesters, Airhart said, they have also had some millennials who have been interested in the one-floor plans.

Ranch homes

KLM Builders of Richmond, Illinois, is a prolific ranch homebuilder. Ninety percent of the homes they build are ranches and they offer 20 different ranch home models, according to Kim Meier, president.

KLM currently has six ranch models available for touring each weekend throughout their communities located in Richmond, Lake Villa, Ringwood, Johnsburg and Spring Grove (all in Illinois) and in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin. KLM is also planning to start a small community soon in Cary and is also willing to build homes on remote lots that buyers own or that KLM helps them find.

“We build ranch homes of every type, ranging in size from 1,200 to 3,000 square feet on a buyer’s lot or on our lot, anywhere from southern Wisconsin to the suburbs north of O’Hare,” Meier stated. “They all include full basements, granite or quartz countertops, garages that hold two, three or four cars and usually sit on a large lot. We offer a wide variety of homes and are also willing to customize.”

“Ninety-nine percent of our customers want ranches because they don’t want to have to climb stairs to clean more rooms. We are even getting young couples looking for ranches with open floor plans and high ceilings now that we are able to construct them to be energy-efficient,” he explained.

In addition, KLM offers three or four exterior elevations for each floor plan so that people can get a home made of brick, stone or frame done in a variety of looks including Craftsman and even a modern farmhouse.

“The popularity of ranch homes has accelerated in the last few years,” Meier added. “We are in the heat of it now and no one does a ranch like we do. We have buyers coming from as far away as Naperville, Batavia and Villa Park because they are ready to retire.”

How about an elevator?

Chicago-based Lexington Homes cares for baby boomer buyers by offering first floor master suites and, in one community, optional elevators.

Jeff Benach, president, makes the argument that ranches demand larger home sites which then need to be maintained and often need to be constructed on sites which are more rural and further away from friends and family. He prefers to construct homes on closer-in sites.

Lexington Homes will soon begin building 28 single family homes at Parkside of Glenview near Willow and Landwehr roads.

It will be the first Lexington project that features first-floor master bedroom suites. They also plan to do something similar at another new community — Concord Oaks in Palatine. In fact, plans at both call for first-floor master suites with large walk-in closets that open onto a first-floor laundry room for ease of laundering. These first-floor master suites include all of the features you’d find in their second-floor counterparts: spacious refuge, custom closets and attached baths with luxury finishes. And they come with an added amenity: convenience. There’s no need to climb the stairs as homeowners have access to everything they need on one floor.

In addition, Lexington Reserve in Oak Park offers 21 row houses with an option for an elevator in each.

Maintenance free

Meritus Homes, based in Riverwoods, is building two communities that are primarily composed of ranches — The Enclave at Mill Creek in Addison, an age-targeted, maintenance-free community, and The Reserve in St. Charles, a semi-custom community located near downtown St. Charles.

The Enclave is a community of 87 single-family homes being constructed on an old par-3 golf course. It is drawing people in the 50 to 70 age range who are looking for maintenance-free ranch homes in the 1,600- to 2,100-square-foot range, with full basements, according to Jay Dulla, vice president.

Homes at The Enclave list for between $395,000 and $440,000.

“You can choose to add a second story to three of the five plans there, if you wish,” he explained. “When we do that, we put the master bedroom on the first floor and secondary bedrooms on the second floor and it generally costs $50,000 extra to do.”

The Reserve in St. Charles offers two ranch plans of 2,500 and 2,650 square feet. They feature 10-foot ceilings, eight-foot doors, open floor plans, covered patios and granite countertops and start at $525,000 and $625,000, sitting on one-third acre lots.

“The Reserve is not a 55-plus community, but anyone can purchase there. We have some homes there that are 100 percent ready to purchase if someone is in a hurry,” Dulla said. “Buyers should remember that ranch homes generally cost 20 to 25 percent more than a two-story home of a comparable size because they need bigger foundations and bigger roofs and that drives up all the costs. That is why many builders choose not to build them.”

Open concept

M/I Homes, which is based in Columbus, Ohio, broke ground this spring on a new community of 54 low-maintenance single-family ranch-style homes in Kildeer. The 27-acre Wentworth community is located adjacent to the Kemper Lakes Golf Club.

M/I Homes has unveiled five new open-concept ranch home designs at Wentworth that will complement the community’s tranquil setting. Floor plans range from 1,776 to 3,097 square feet and feature two to three bedrooms, two to three baths, an attached two-car garage and full basement. All homes in the community offer modern layouts with open kitchen and living area configurations, mudrooms, flex space that can be used as a den or bedroom, and a rear patio with the option for a screened porch. Additionally, every plan offers the option to add an upper-level bonus room, bedroom and bath. Base prices range from $427,990 to $480,990.

“For buyers looking for a new home and single-level living in Kildeer, Wentworth is truly a unique option,” said Cheryl Bonk, vice president of sales and marketing for M/I Homes.

“Each floor plan includes the open living space today’s homeowners prize, comfortable master suites and a number of extra touches buyers will appreciate. Many also offer the opportunity for front porches and covered patios.”

Bonk added that the ranch plans at Wentworth are especially flexible due to the opportunity to add upper-level living space and bedrooms, perfect for college-age children and even visiting grandchildren.

Buyers can also personalize their home with morning rooms, butler’s pantries or formal dining rooms. They can also opt for a luxury master bath with dual sinks and a separate tub and walk-in shower.

In addition, the lots at Wentworth are deep, but narrow, with beautiful rolling, wooded topography. Landscaping maintenance and snow removal will be handled by a homeowners’ association.

This will be an empty-nester community, but not an age-restricted one. Residents will be able to choose either a golf or a social membership at Kemper Lakes, if they wish, Bonk stated.

M/I Homes also has a townhouse community called Brentwood available near downtown Barrington. The townhouses range in size between 1,782 and 2,098 square feet and several offer first floor master suites with a base price of $379,900.

And in Winfield, M/I Homes offers duplexes in the low $400,000s at Timber Creek. The Danbury model features a first-floor master bedroom.

“We find that many empty nesters want to downsize nearby because they have family roots keeping them here. Many have a second home elsewhere, but they want a low-maintenance home in an infill location here that is close to friends and family,” Bonk stated.

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Ranch Home At The Reserve In St. Charles An Instant Hit With Young Couple

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They say when it’s right you know it. That’s exactly the case for Carly and Geoff Reisner who purchased a Clover ranch at The Reserve in St. Charles from Meritus Homes. What began as a casual search for a single-family home turned into a quick decision to purchase the moment they toured the Clover model.
Living in a townhome in Elgin, the couple was just starting their home search in late 2017. After touring about a half dozen new homes along with several resales, they learned about the new ranch model Meritus Homes was debuting at The Reserve in St. Charles.
“Suddenly, what we expected to take six to eight months turned into us putting a deposit down within six weeks,” said Carly Reisner. “Even before we walked into the Clover model we knew no other home was going to be good enough. And we were right.”
The Reisners closed on their new Meritus home in September of 2018 and have been thrilled with their decision from day one.
“Geoff’s sister lives in The Reserve so we were familiar with the neighborhood,” said Carly. “We wanted to stay in the Fox Valley area near our families which made this location highly desirable.”
At The Reserve in St. Charles, Meritus Homes is offering five floor plans for the community’s semicustom homes. The Clover is one of two ranches. Three two-story designs also are available. Overall, homes have 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 $519,900 to $569,900.
The Clover is an elegant ranch with an open-concept layout. The center of attention is the everyday living space, which features the designer kitchen with center island flowing into the adjoining dining room and spacious living room. A covered porch in back is ideal for outdoor dining or simply relaxing. The master suite has a walk-in closet and private luxury bath. A second bedroom also has its own bath and walk-in closet while the third bedroom can be converted into a den. In addition to the full basement, extra storage space is abundant in the garage.
“We found the Clover’s layout appealing,” said Carly. “We joked that we’re too young for a ranch but Geoff grew up in a ranch and his mom told us that we would love raising a family in one.”
“The Clover is relaxed and welcoming, with no formal living or dining room that we won’t use,” she continued. “While it’s casual, it has a luxurious presence thanks to the 10-foot ceilings and fine details. Plus, the whole back of the house is windows that let in lots of natural light. No detail was left unconsidered—there’s even a window in the pantry.”
Carly noted that the couple did make some upgrades like adding a tray ceiling in the master bedroom and an octagonal tray ceiling in the foyer—which creates drama. They also added a bay window in the dining area and upgraded to a deep pour basement from the standard basement. They added a sliding door between the master bath closet and the neighboring laundry room to make doing laundry extremely convenient. The couple turned the third bedroom into an office, as well.
“We really enjoyed working with Meritus Homes because of their flexibility,” said Carly. “We were able to make semicustom changes.
“In the model, the owner’s bath only had a shower,” she continued. “We worked with Meritus Homes to reconfigure the space to include a freestanding tub and separate vanities. Now Geoff feels like he’s in a luxury hotel or spa.”
Coming from a townhome, the Reisners had never purchased new construction before. Carly believes that working with a mid-size locally based builder over a big box economy builder was a huge advantage.
“With Meritus Homes, I received individualized attention from people who had the ability to solve problems, which are inevitable when building a house,” she explained. “Everyone from the salesperson to construction manager was a pleasure to work with. They were patient, thorough and provided us with answers that were in alignment with our goals. We are really happy and the process has been a breeze.”
While the Reisners built their home from the ground up, Meritus Homes has two homes ready for quick move-in at the Reserve in St. Charles: the two-story Marquis priced at $624,900 and the Clover ranch priced at $627,500.
Nearly six months after moving in, the Reisners are thankful every day for their decision.
“We can get to two downtowns—St. Charles and Geneva—within 10 to 15 minutes,” said Carly. “Both offer amazing food, a quaint and warm feel, culture, and charming shops. At the same time, everyday conveniences like Target and Costco are nearby along the Randall Road corridor.”
Because of the large homesites that provide big back yards and its location in highly rated School District #303, The Reserve in St Charles is home to many families with young children. However, the neighborhood also has retired couples who have been attracted to the ranch homes. Carly described the mix of residents as a very social group…inviting, warm and kind. The Reisners already have seen homeowners out walking their dogs on the community’s trails and expect more outdoor activity as children play in the neighborhood park once the weather warms up.
To visit The Reserve in St. Charles, take Rt. 31 and turn west onto Reserve Drive, which is between Red Gate Road and Silver Glen Road. Proceed to the sales office at 775 Reserve Drive. A decorated model is open to tour from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
On Saturday, March 2, Meritus Homes is hosting an open house event. Home shoppers are invited to visit the property, tour the quick move-in homes, and enjoy pizza and refreshments from Riverside Pizza & Pub. Two quick move-in homes are available to walk through and are ideal for anyone who has already sold their current house and is on a short timeline to relocate.
For more information, call (224) 634-4054 or visit www.MeritusHomebuilders.com.

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An open-concept layout is one of the design features attracting new-home buyers to the ranch homes at The Reserve in St. Charles.

Meritus Homes pays special attention to the details, like creating a bright and airy dining area in the Clover ranch.

Buyers Attracted To Low-Maintenance Ranch Homes At The Enclave At Mill Creek

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Just the right fit. That’s how Angela Nassopoulos describes her brand-new ranch at The Enclave at Mill Creek. She and her husband Ari moved to the west suburban community last summer after searching for a single-level home to suit their empty-nester lifestyle.

Developed by Meritus Homes, The Enclave at Mill Creek features detached, single-family homes in a low-maintenance setting. Only a handful of the 44 homes in Phase I remain for sale, including four that are built and ready for move-in within 30 to 60 days.

When they moved in last June, Ari and Angela Nassopoulos became one of the first residents at The Enclave at Mill Creek—purchasing before models even opened. The couple heard about the property when researching online, then stopped by the sales center. They reviewed the blueprints and were sold.

“After home shopping for about four to five months, we couldn’t find anything that had everything we were looking for,” said Angela Nassopoulos. “Specifically, we wanted a ranch and the resale houses we saw were old and needed a lot of upgrades and work. We didn’t want to inherit someone else’s décor and problems, so we decided to go with a brand-new home.”

The couple purchased the Primrose, which has 1,946 square feet of living space, three bedrooms and two full baths. It offers a variety of today’s most sought-after design features such as a luxury master suite with a private bath and oversize walk-in closet, a big family room that flows into the dining area, a laundry room conveniently located off the two-car garage, a walk-in pantry in the kitchen, and Angela’s favorite—a 10-foot-long center island that ties the kitchen to the dining area.

“The island is a great gathering spot. It’s big enough to seat our five grandkids all at one time when they come over,” she explained. “And the open concept living area lets me work in the kitchen and still interact with everyone in the family room and dining room.”

The couple converted one of the three bedrooms into an office, added a fireplace and upgraded appliances and flooring. They made a few tweaks to some closets, as well.

“One of the best things about buying new construction is being able to personalize our space,” said Angela. “It’s nice to be able to move in and everything is just how we want it.”

The Primrose at The Enclave at Mill Creek is the fourth home that Angela and Ari Nassopoulos have built. As someone who has gone through the new construction process before, they were very pleased with Meritus Homes.

“They were wonderful from beginning to end,” said Angela. “They never hesitated to take care of any detail…no matter how big or small, and even offered support after we moved in.”

Meritus Homes is offering five designs at The Enclave at Mill Creek. Ranch plans have 1,379 to 2,154 square feet of living space; two, three or four bedrooms; and two full baths for base prices that range from $370,900 to $427,900. 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 $449,900 to $471,900.

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

Kitchens are designed around the chef with a full suite of stainless steel appliances including a range, microwave, dishwasher, and refrigerator; pantry, per plan; granite countertops; and elegant touches such as ceramic tile or oak flooring and cabinets with crown molding.

Bath floors and shower walls have ceramic tile as standard and vanity tops are cultured marble. Master baths have the added luxury of separate showers; custom-finished, wood, raised vanities; large linen closets; and compartmentalized water closets.

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.

Outside, homes at The Enclave at Mill Creek have classic elements such as brick and stone accents, and some have covered entries or front porches to provide shelter from inclement weather. Exteriors are constructed of low-maintenance materials such as vinyl siding for easy upkeep. Front, side and rear yards are fully sodded plus a landscaping package is included with each new home to give it instant curb appeal.

The homeowners’ association handles snow removal and performs all common area landscape maintenance as well as lawn care for each individual homesite, creating a low-maintenance environment ideal for anyone looking to reduce the amount of time they spend on outdoor chores.

The Enclave at Mill Creek also has abundant green space…including Westwood Creek, three ponds and a scenic sitting area…with more than one third of the ranch-style homes backing to natural areas. Plus, it is tucked in an established area in central DuPage County.

“We were downsizing from a large house in Palatine and thought this was the perfect location,” said Angela. “Our children live in Elmhurst so we are close to the grandkids and can easily hop over there and visit.”

Positioned at the intersection of Army Trail Boulevard and North Mill Street, the neighborhood is within minutes of Interstates 355 and 290 as well as Ill. Hwy. 83/Kingery Highway for easy access to Chicagoland’s western suburbs. The community also is near stores, entertainment, movie theaters, golf, casual dining, forest preserves, and everyday conveniences.

While close to so much, The Enclave at Mill Creek has an intimate neighborhood feel. “We enjoy the privacy and quiet here,” said Angela. “The neighbors have been great and we’re getting to know everyone.”

Two decorated models are open at The Enclave at Mill Creek from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily. The sales office is located at 758 Fairway Drive, just north of Army Trail Boulevard and west of North Mill Road in Addison. The community’s entrance is on the north side of Army Trail Boulevard at Links Drive. (Enter 601 Army Trail Boulevard into GPS system to find the site.)

On Saturday, February 9, Meritus Homes is hosting an open house. Home shoppers are invited to visit the property, tour the quick move-in homes, and enjoy pizza and refreshments from the Giordano’s Pizzeria on Lake Street in Addison. Three quick move-in homes are available to walk through and are ideal for anyone who has already sold their current house and is on a short timeline to relocate.

For more information on The Enclave at Mill Creek, (224) 634-4034 or visit www.MeritusHomebuilders.com.

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The Primrose offers low-maintenance single-level living

Newly built homes like the Waterleaf are ready for buyers to move into in as quickly as 30 days

Addison’s Enclave At Mill Creek More The 65% Sold

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Less than four months after grand opening decorated models, more than 65 percent of the new homes have been sold at The Enclave at Mill Creek in Addison.

Jay Dulla, managing director for the property’s developer Meritus Homes, attributes the community’s success to its rare combination of new construction ranches and low-maintenance environment.

“Finding new homes in general, and single-level designs in particular, is uncommon in Addison and the surrounding area,” he explained. “Add to that the fact that homeowners at The Enclave at Mill Creek won’t have to rake leaves, cut their lawns or even shovel snow, and you have a winning combination.”

In fact, the community’s homeowners’ association performs all common area landscape maintenance as well as lawn care for each individual homesite so owners never have to spend their time or energy on outdoor chores. Snow removal also is included in the monthly assessment.

In addition to the low-maintenance setting, The Enclave at Mill Creek offers an incredibly convenient location that has attracted homebuyers from Addison as well as surrounding towns such as Lombard, Elmhurst, Itasca and even as far away as Palatine and Naperville.

Positioned at the intersection of Army Trail Boulevard and North Mill Street, the neighborhood is within minutes of Interstates 355 and 290 as well as Ill. Hwy. 83/Kingery Highway for easy access to Chicagoland’s western suburbs. Shopping, entertainment, movie theaters, golf, casual dining, and forest preserves are also nearby.

Although tucked in a mature area, The Enclave at Mill Creek has abundant green space…including Westwood Creek, three ponds and a scenic sitting area…with more than one third of the ranch-style homes backing to natural areas.

To complement these surroundings, the architecture showcases classic elements such as brick and stone accents, and some homes have covered entries or front porches to provide shelter from inclement weather. Exteriors are constructed of low maintenance materials such as vinyl siding for easy upkeep. Front, side and rear yards are fully sodded plus a landscaping package is included with each new home to give it instant curb appeal.

In addition, all homes at The Enclave at Mill Creek are built to the exacting standards that signify a Meritus home. Interiors have nine-foot first-floor ceilings, six-panel doors, decorative touches such as rounded drywall corners and brushed nickel finishes, central air conditioning, and full basements all as standard features.

Kitchens are designed around the chef with a full suite of stainless steel appliances including a range, microwave, dishwasher, and refrigerator; pantry, per plan; granite countertops; and elegant touches such as ceramic tile or oak flooring and cabinets with crown molding.

Baths have ceramic tile flooring and shower walls along with cultured marble vanity tops while master baths have the added luxury of separate showers; custom-finished, wood, raised vanities; large linen closets; and compartmentalized water closets.

Since these are newly built homes, owners can choose their colors, flooring, fixtures, and more. Plus, Meritus Homes offers a variety of options and upgrades that range from gourmet kitchen enhancements to gas fireplaces and upgraded flooring, among others. The builder also is willing to make semicustom changes for even more ways to tailor a home to someone’s tastes.

“The ability to personalize their space is a main reason home shoppers choose new construction over resale,” said Dulla. “Buyers know they are getting exactly what they want—and they don’t have to live with someone else’s decorating. Plus, all appliances and appointments are brand-new so they won’t have the repairs and upkeep associated with an old house.”

Visitors can see and feel the quality of Meritus Homes’ construction by touring models of the single-level Marigold and two-story Waterleaf at The Enclave at Mill Creek. They represent two of the five designs the builder offers at the low-maintenance community. Ranch plans have 1,379 to 2,154 square feet of living space, two or three bedrooms, and two full baths for base prices that range from $353,400 to $436,900. 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. These homes have a total of 2,620 to 3,077 square feet of space for prices that range from $449,900 to $471,900. In all, The Enclave at Mill Creek features 44 detached, single-family homes in Phase I.

The two decorated models are open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The sales office is located at 758 Fairway Drive, just north of Army Trail Boulevard and west of North Mill Road. The community’s entrance is on the north side of Army Trail Boulevard at Links Drive. (Enter 601 Army Trail Boulevard into Google Maps or GPS system to find the site.)

For directions to The Enclave at Mill Creek, visit www.MeritusHomebuilders.com. Or call (224) 634-4034.

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Move Into A NEW Home This Fall At The Enclave At Mill Creek

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You may not want to admit it but…winter is right around the corner. In Chicagoland, that can mean bitter cold temperatures, howling winds and snow. As a homeowner, do you dread shoveling your driveway?

If you move into The Enclave at Mill Creek in west suburban Addison, you won’t have to because snow removal is included in the community’s monthly assessment. Even better, move-in-ready homes are available so buyers can be settled in before the weather changes this year.

“The Enclave at Mill Creek offers the superior energy efficiency of new construction, plus we have three completed homes for immediate delivery so owners can move within 30 to 60 days,” said Jay Dulla, managing director for the property’s developer, Meritus Homes. “That way, if someone has already sold their current house and is on a short timeline to relocate, they have the option to purchase a brand-new home.”

In all, The Enclave at Mill Creek features detached, single-family homes in a low-maintenance setting. Already, more than 65 percent of the 44 homes in Phase I have been sold.

Meritus Homes is offering five designs at the Addison community. Ranch plans have 1,379 to 2,154 square feet of living space, two or three bedrooms, and two full baths for base prices that range from $353,400 to $436,900. 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. These homes have a total of 2,620 to 3,077 square feet of space for prices that range from $449,900 to $471,900.

The move-in ready homes currently for sale are the Hyacinth, Larkspur and Waterleaf—all ranches.

With 1,379 square feet of space, two bedrooms and two baths, the Hyacinth offers easy single-level living that is just right for today’s lifestyles. The kitchen, dining area and family room all open to each other to create a Great Room effect ideal for both relaxing every day and entertaining guests. Food prep is a breeze in the kitchen thanks to a pantry and sink in the center island. The two bedrooms are separated from each other for maximum privacy while the master suite boasts its own bath and walk-in closet. A laundry room with linen closet and two-car garage round out this carefree ranch. The Hyacinth on homesite 41 features hardwood flooring in the foyer, hall, kitchen, dining room, and family room. The kitchen has 36-inch white maple cabinets with crown molding, a center island, granite counter tops, and stainless steel appliances. A full basement and 10-by12-foot deck also are included for $373,306.

Homeowners can relax and live comfortably in the Larkspur. Offering 1,603 feet of space, two bedrooms and two baths, this home is priced at $429,482. The family room is the heart of the Larkspur, offering plenty of space for everyone. The neighboring kitchen and dining room combine for easy meal prep, serving and dining. A large center island unites the rooms and provides ample work space while a pantry offers plenty of storage. The master suite has two closets, including a walk-in, along with a private bath. The second bedroom is ideal as a guest room, office or den. The laundry room if off the kitchen and allows access to the two-car garage. The Larkspur on homesite 20 is under construction and buyers can still add many of their own interior selections.

The Waterleaf on homesite 43 boasts 2,154 square feet, three bedrooms and two baths for $479,242. This plan maximizes versatility. The flex room has been converted into a bedroom while a den accented by double doors has been added. The main living area is flexible, with a kitchen, dining room and family room all open to each other to accommodate day-to-day activities as well as entertaining. Highlights of the kitchen include a center island and big pantry. The master suite is a relaxing place to unwind with a private bath and walk-in closet. Another bedroom, full bath and laundry room complete the living space. Upgrades in this home are hardwood flooring in the foyer, hall, kitchen, dining room, and family room; upgraded kitchen appliances; a deluxe master bath; and tray ceiling in the master bedroom.

The Hyacinth, Larkspur and Waterleaf—like all homes at The Enclave at Mill Creek—showcase energy-efficient construction that includes Tyvek® house wrap, ice and water shield protection for the roof, a damp-proofed foundation, 40-gallon high-efficiency water heater, and R-21 wall and R-49 ceiling insulation.

“Thanks to advances in technology and building systems, homes built today offer greater comfort and energy savings than older houses,” said Dulla. “And since furnaces and air conditioning units are brand-new, they won’t have to be repaired or replaced for years to come.”

He added that all homes at The Enclave at Mill Creek are built to the exacting standards that signify a Meritus home. Interiors have nine-foot first-floor ceilings, six-panel doors, decorative touches such as rounded drywall corners and brushed nickel finishes, central air conditioning, and full basements all as standard features.

Kitchens are designed around the chef with a full suite of stainless steel appliances including a range, microwave, dishwasher, and refrigerator; pantry, per plan; granite countertops; and elegant touches such as ceramic tile or oak flooring and cabinets with crown molding.

Baths have ceramic tile flooring and shower walls along with cultured marble vanity tops while master baths have the added luxury of separate showers; custom-finished, wood, raised vanities; large linen closets; and compartmentalized water closets.

“Why restrict yourself to resale when an opportunity like The Enclave at Mill Creek exists?” said Dulla. “We offer high quality new homes that are ready for move-in now, all in a carefree setting.”

In addition to the low-maintenance environment—the homeowners’ association performs all common area landscape maintenance as well as lawn care for each individual homesite—The Enclave at Mill Creek benefits from a convenient location. So much so that the community has attracted homebuyers not only from Addison but also from surrounding towns such as Lombard, Elmhurst, Itasca and even as far away as Palatine and Naperville.

Positioned at the intersection of Army Trail Boulevard and North Mill Street, the neighborhood is within minutes of Interstates 355 and 290 as well as Ill. Hwy. 83/Kingery Highway for easy access to Chicagoland’s western suburbs. Shopping, entertainment, movie theaters, golf, casual dining, and forest preserves are also nearby.

Although tucked in a mature area, The Enclave at Mill Creek has abundant green space…including Westwood Creek, three ponds and a scenic sitting area…with more than one third of the ranch-style homes backing to natural areas.

To complement these surroundings, the architecture showcases classic elements such as brick and stone accents, and some homes have covered entries or front porches to provide shelter from inclement weather. Exteriors are constructed of low maintenance materials such as vinyl siding for easy upkeep. Front, side and rear yards are fully sodded plus a landscaping package is included with each new home to give it instant curb appeal.

Visitors can make an appointment to tour the Hyacinth and Waterleaf move-in-ready homes by calling the sales office at (224) 634-4034.

The sales office is located at 758 Fairway Drive, just north of Army Trail Boulevard and west of North Mill Road. The community’s entrance is on the north side of Army Trail Boulevard at Links Drive. (Enter 601 Army Trail Boulevard into Google Maps or GPS system to find the site.)

Two decorated models are open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

For directions to The Enclave at Mill Creek, visit www.MeritusHomebuilders.com.

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Models Open This Weekend at The Enclave at Mill Creek

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Two decorated models are GRAND OPENING today at The Enclave at Mill Creek in west suburban Addison, where Meritus Homes offers five ranch designs. The single-level Marigold and two-story Waterleaf are now on display at the low-maintenance community.

To celebrate the GRAND OPENING, Meritus Homes is inviting home shoppers to visit the property, tour the new models, and enjoy pizza and refreshments from Giordano’s in Addison.

With 1,754 square feet of living space, two bedrooms and two full baths, the Marigold ranch is ideal for someone downsizing or just starting out. An open layout is the hallmark of this single-story home with a kitchen, dining room and family room all flowing into each other. A center island makes meal prep a breeze while a pantry offers abundant storage. The master suite is a spacious retreat with a large bedroom, his and her closets, and a private bath. On the other side of the home is the second bedroom, adjacent to a full bath. It’s perfect for use as a guest suite or as a library or hobby nook.

The two-story Waterleaf is the largest plan with 3,077 square feet, four bedrooms and three baths. This home maximizes flexibility with a flex room—perfect as a hobby nook, library or den—plus a kitchen, dining room and family room that all open to each other to accommodate day-to-day activities as well as entertaining. The master suite is a relaxing place to unwind with a private bath and walk-in closet. Two additional bedrooms, a full bath and a laundry room complete the first floor. Upstairs the fourth bedroom has a walk-in closet. A full bath and loft, which can be used as a playroom, second family room, or media space, make the second floor ideal for overnight guests or college students home for the summer.

The Marigold and Waterleaf represent two of the five designs Meritus Homes offers at The Enclave at Mill Creek. Ranch plans have 1,379 to 2,154 square feet of living space, two or three bedrooms, and two full baths for base prices that range from $354,900 to $439,900. 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. These homes have a total of 2,620 to 3,077 square feet of space for prices that range from $454,570 to $483,300. In all, The Enclave at Mill Creek features 44 detached, single-family homes in Phase I.

One of the most appealing aspects of the community is that it offers residents a maintenance-free lifestyle, said Jay Dulla, managing director of Meritus Homes. The homeowners association will perform all common area landscape maintenance as well as lawn care for each individual home so owners never have to spend their time or energy on outdoor chores. Snow removal also is included in the monthly assessment.

Buyers already have been flocking to the community—20 percent of the easy-living homes were sold before the models opened and now are under construction. These new hew homeowners have come from Addison as well as surrounding towns such as Lombard, Elmhurst, Itasca and even as far away as Palatine.

In addition to the low-maintenance setting, The Enclave at Mill Creek offers an incredibly convenient location at the intersection of Army Trail Boulevard and North Mill Street. Shopping, entertainment, movie theaters, golf, casual dining, and forest preserves are all nearby. Plus, Interstates 355 and 290 are only a few miles away, as is Ill. Hwy. 83/Kingery Highway, for easy access to Chicagoland’s western suburbs.

“With The Enclave at Mill Creek, residents can stay close to what they know and love…and reap all the benefits of new construction, like energy efficiency and modern building techniques,” said Dulla.

All homes at The Enclave at Mill Creek are built to the exacting standards that signify a Meritus home. Interiors have nine-foot first-floor ceilings, six-panel doors, decorative touches such as rounded drywall corners and brushed nickel finishes, central air conditioning, and full basements all as standard features.

Kitchens are designed around the chef with a full suite of stainless steel appliances including a range, microwave, dishwasher, and refrigerator; pantry, per plan; granite countertops; and elegant touches such as ceramic tile or oak flooring and cabinets with crown molding.

All baths have ceramic tile flooring and shower walls along with cultured marble vanity tops while master baths have the added luxury of separate showers; custom-finished, wood, raised vanities; large linen closets; and compartmentalized water closets.

Since these are newly built homes, owners can choose their colors, flooring, fixtures, and more. Plus, Meritus Homes offers a variety of options and upgrades that range from gourmet kitchen enhancements to gas fireplaces and upgraded flooring, among others. The builder also is willing to make semicustom changes for even more ways to tailor a home to someone’s tastes.

Exteriors are designed with classic architecture that features brick accents, optional stone accents, and covered entries to provide shelter from inclement weather. Some plans even include front porches. Exteriors are constructed of low maintenance materials such as vinyl siding for easy upkeep. Front, side and rear yards are fully sodded plus a landscaping package is included with each new home to give it instant curb appeal.

The Enclave at Mill Creek also boasts abundant green space—including Westwood Creek, three ponds and a scenic sitting area. More than one third of the homes back up to natural areas. Plus, the property is tucked in a mature area surrounded by established neighborhoods.

The new sales office at The Enclave at Mill Creek is located at 758 Fairway Drive, just north of Army Trail Boulevard and west of North Mill Road. The community’s entrance is on the north side of Army Trail Boulevard at Links Drive.

The GRAND OPENING celebration with pizza and refreshments from the Giordano’s pizzeria on Lake Street in Addison is happening Friday May 18th from noon to 6 p.m. and Saturday May 19th from noon to 4 p.m. Visitors also can tour the new decorated models daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For directions, visit www.MeritusHomebuilders.com. Or call (224) 634-4034.

 

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Model Preview This Weekend – Last Chance For Pre-Grand Opening Prices At The Enclave At Mill Creek In Addison

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Home shoppers can take a sneak peek at two new, decorated models at The Enclave at Mill Creek starting May 4th. Meritus Homes is unveiling the Marigold ranch along with the two-story Waterleaf at the low-maintenance community in Addison.

With a grand opening celebration scheduled for May 19th, this is the final opportunity for homebuyers to save with special pre-grand opening prices. Already, 20 percent of the community’s easy-living homes have been sold and are under construction.

The Enclave at Mill Creek features 44 detached, single-family homes in Phase I. Buyers can choose from five ranch floor plans with 1,379 to 2,154 square feet of living space, two or three bedrooms, and two full baths. Base prices start from $354,900.

Several of the plans at The Enclave at Mill Creek have the option for a second story. This can 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. The two-story layouts, according to Dulla, are perfect for households with college children home for summer break or those who need to accommodate extended family or overnight guests.

“The main draw of The Enclave is that it is one of the few neighborhoods within the surrounding communities where buyers can build a brand-new home with limited maintenance,” said Jay Dulla, managing director of Meritus Homes. “That means homeowners can choose their colors, flooring, fixtures, and more. Plus, Meritus Homes offers a variety of options and upgrades and is willing to make semicustom changes for even more ways to tailor a home to someone’s tastes.”

Also appealing—especially for empty nesters—is the maintenance-free lifestyle at The Enclave at Mill Creek. The homeowners association will perform all common area landscape maintenance as well as lawn care for each individual home so owners never have to spend their time or energy on outdoor chores. Snow removal also is included in the monthly assessment.

Located at the intersection of Army Trail Boulevard and North Mill Street, The Enclave at Mill Creek is tucked in a mature area surrounded by established neighborhoods. Plus, the property has abundant green space—including Westwood Creek, three ponds and a scenic sitting area. In fact, more than one third of the homes back up to natural areas.

To complement these surroundings, exteriors are designed with classic architecture that features brick accents, optional stone accents, and covered entries to provide shelter from inclement weather. Some plans even include front porches. Exteriors are constructed of low maintenance materials such as vinyl siding for easy upkeep. Front, side and rear yards are fully sodded plus a landscaping package is included with each new home to give it instant curb appeal.

All homes at The Enclave at Mill Creek are built to the exacting standards that signify a Meritus home. Interiors have nine-foot first-floor ceilings, six-panel doors, decorative touches such as rounded drywall corners and brushed nickel finishes, central air conditioning, and full basements all as standard features.

Kitchens are designed around the chef with a full suite of stainless steel appliances including a range, microwave, dishwasher, and refrigerator; pantry, per plan; granite countertops; and elegant touches such as ceramic tile or oak flooring and cabinets with crown molding.

All baths have ceramic tile flooring and shower walls along with cultured marble vanity tops while master baths have the added luxury of separate showers; custom-finished, wood, raised vanities; large linen closets; and compartmentalized water closets.

Optional amenities range from gourmet kitchen enhancements to gas fireplaces and upgraded flooring, among others.

“Savvy buyers understand—and appreciate—all the advantages that come with a newly built home,” said Dulla. For example, homeowners have few, if any, repairs that need to be made. Plus, they can typically stay comfortable for less since new homes are more energy efficient.

“Before The Enclave at Mill Creek opened, very few new homes were being built in Addison or surrounding areas in a maintenance-free environment; so if someone wanted to stay in the area, their choices were limited,” he continued. “Now, home shoppers can reap the benefits of new construction yet stay close to what they know and love.”

Buyers have been coming to the community from surrounding towns such as Lombard, Elmhurst and Itasca—and even as far away as Palatine—drawn to the property’s convenient location. Shopping, entertainment, movie theaters, golf, casual dining, and forest preserves are all nearby. Plus, Interstates 355 and 290 are only a few miles away, as is Ill. Hwy. 83/Kingery Highway, for easy access to Chicagoland’s western suburbs.

The Enclave at Mill Creek’s new model and sales office is located at 758 Fairway Drive, just north of Army Trail Boulevard and west of North Mill Road. The community’s entrance is on the north side of Army Trail Boulevard at Links Drive.

Visitors can tour both decorated models from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. For directions or to preview floor plans at The Enclave at Mill Creek, visit www.MeritusHomebuilders.com. Or call (224) 634-4034.

Why Delaying a Home Purchase May Cost You

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Luxury Designs are Modified to Fit Your Needs

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