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Tuesday, June 27, 2006 Navy Family Drops Anchor at Shepherds Crossing

As a chief petty officer in the U.S. Navy, it was only fitting that Tyrek Alanos had to cross open ocean in order to visit his fiancée, Katie Quartey, when the two first began dating. The couple spent more than a year traveling back and forth between Hawaii, where he was stationed, and northern California, where she lived with her three young sons: James, 10; Jared, 8; and Jaden, 5. So when Tyrek was transferred to the Great Lakes Naval Training Center, the couple decided a top priority would be minimizing Tyrek's commute. "After having to travel such a distance just to see each other, the idea of Tyrek working minutes away from where we lived was incredibly appealing," said Katie. "Location was really the first consideration in our home search." The couple researched communities in the areas surrounding the training center and eventually discovered nearby Shepherds Crossing in Zion. Located on the northwest side of Zion, at Kenosha Road near Highway 173, Shepherds Crossing offers ranch, split-level and two-story floor plans with two to four bedrooms, 2 to 2½ baths, partial and full unfinished basements, and attached two-car garages. Homes measure 1,575 to 2,467 square feet, with base prices ranging from $224,490 to $268,490. According to the developer, Deer Point Homes, Shepherds Crossing is an ideal home base for buyers stationed at the training center, which is just 11 miles south of the community. In fact, the builder noted more than a dozen households at Shepherds Crossing have a family member affiliated with the training center. In addition to the convenient proximity to the training center, Tyrek and Katie were impressed with the size of the floor plans and home sites. They chose the Dartmoor, the largest of the community's 11 floor plans with 2,467 square feet. The home has four bedrooms and a den, 2½ baths, an attached two-car garage and a partial basement. "Where we lived in California, this home would cost $600,000 or more, so we're thrilled with how much more square footage and outdoor space our dollar gets us here," said Katie. "With three growing boys, it's nice that they'll each have their own bedroom, as well as lots of room to play outside. Plus, the home has a good-sized den on the first floor, which is something Tyrek really wanted, and an open kitchen and family room that I know will become the main living area for our family." The couple is also looking forward to enjoying the upgrades in their new home, including a luxury master bath with a dual-bowl vanity, walk-in shower, a separate tub with ceramic tile surround, and oversized ceramic tile flooring. The master suite is further upgraded with a skylight, and also includes a large walk-in closet with ample space for both Katie and Tyrek's wardrobes. Downstairs, the kitchen features upgraded birch cabinets with crown molding, as well as a number of standard features: GE appliances, a double-bowl stainless steel sink, a preparation island and pantry. The home's living room, den and foyer are enhanced by volume ceilings, which come standard in the Dartmoor. "The standard features and the upgrades make this home a really comfortable home base for us," said Katie. "Between moving across the country and getting married, Tyrek and the boys and I are in for a lot of big changes. But, our new home at Shepherds Crossing is one adjustment that will be easy to make." To visit Shepherds Crossing, take Interstate 94 west to Route 173 (Rosecrans Road) east to Kenosha Road south to the sales center, which is on the left. The sales center is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily or by appointment. For more information, call (847) 746-5123.

Saturday, January 28, 2006 Ponds of Bull Valley has curb appeal Daily Herald Page 6 Section 7A

Homebuyers who care as much about how their new home looks on the outside as on the inside will find highly sought after "curb appeal" at The Ponds of Bull Valley in northwest-suburban Woodstock. Developer Deer Point Homes designed the new community of 219 single-family homes with "hidden" three-car garages, winding streets, a host of exterior elevations, and home sites that back up to an adjacent private golf course, forest preserve and green space. Located just east of Route 47 on McConnell Road, The Ponds of Bull Valley offers nine floor plans base-priced from $244,490 to $297,990. Homes range in size from 1,656 to 2,870 square feet, and come standard with three to four bedrooms, 2 to 2½ baths, three-car garages, and partial and full basements, per plan. "One of the things that makes this community special is its curb appeal. In spite of the fact that all homes include a three-car garage, garages are disguised as residents drive into the community," said Michael Menas, president of Deer Point Homes. "There's also a diversity of home styles and colors, and there are no straight blocks, but rather winding streets along rolling hills. All of this gives Ponds the curb appeal of a luxury home community, but these homes are priced under $300,000." According to Menas, a key factor in the design of the community was minimizing the appearance of the three-car garages by turning the entrances away from the street. Architects designed six floor plans with a split garage, which has a two-car side-loading garage offering direct access into the home along with a one-car garage located toward the rear of the home. Three plans offer an attached three-car garage that is turned 90 degrees from the home's facade. In addition, land planners took advantage of the sloping topography to create a community of winding rather than straight streets. This also aids in concealing the garages because home sites have interesting and varied orientations to the street. "The result of this land planning and architecture is that garages are barely visible as one drives into the community," said Menas. "Garages do not overtake the front of the homes." Another aesthetically pleasing feature is Woodstock's picturesque setting, said Menas. The Ponds of Bull Valley is nestled among wooded areas and open green space. In addition, half the homes overlook the private Bull Valley Golf Course, and only 16 home sites back up to another home. "Interesting scenery and settings are found in every corner of the community," said Menas. "Ponds does not appear to be just a sea of homes, but is peppered with mature trees, fairways of the golf course, and even horses grazing at a nearby farm. Residents can enjoy the natural surroundings when walking around or driving through the community." In addition, Menas said homebuyers in search of a diverse streetscape will appreciate the anti-monotony standards at The Ponds of Bull Valley. The standards dictate that the same home cannot be built within five homes to the right and left, as well as in front of a given home. A variety of exterior details, colors and materials also provide for personalization of the homes. "Homebuyers can choose from three different exterior elevations for each floor plan for a total of 27 choices," said Menas. "We also offer a range of colors in shutters, trim and siding, as well as for brick and roofing." One of the floor plans available at The Ponds of Bull Valley is the Spyglass. This 1,787-square-foot home includes three bedrooms, 21/2 baths, a living room, family room, loft and full, unfinished basement. It is base-priced from $246,490. "The Spyglass is a split-level home with four levels separated by half flights of stairs," said Menas. "For parents who want to keep an eye on small children, open wood railings provide sightlines from the kitchen to the lower-level family room and the second-story loft. The design also gives buyers convenient access to the many different rooms that the home features." Residents enter the home through a tiled entry foyer that leads to the living room. Adjacent to the living room is the kitchen, which includes a breakfast nook. A half flight of stairs leads to the lower-level family room. This level also includes a laundry room, powder room and storage closet. A loft, two bedrooms and a full hall bath are located a half flight up from the kitchen. The loft can be converted into a fourth bedroom. Another half flight up from the second level is the master bedroom suite, with a full bath and walk-in closet. It is designed to be a secluded retreat perched above the home, said Menas. Another floor plan is the Aberdeen, a 2,360-square-foot home with three bedrooms, 2 1/2baths, a living room, dining room, family room, loft and full, unfinished basement. It is base-priced at $282,990. The entry foyer leads to a separate living room, adjacent to a combination dining and family room with standard volume ceilings. The kitchen has a breakfast nook and 9-foot ceiling. This home features a first-floor master bedroom, as well as a second floor with two bedrooms, a loft and full bath. A laundry room also is located on the first level for convenience. "The Aberdeen layout is nice for buyers who don't want to traverse a lot of stairs but may have teenagers living at home, children visiting from college or frequent guests who can utilize the upstairs bedrooms," said Menas. "It's also great for parents who want privacy from their young children's sleeping quarters." Encompassing the right side of the home is the first-floor master suite, which includes its own foyer, a walk-in closet, two double-door closets and 9-foot ceilings. The master bath has a separate tub and shower and an optional double-bowl vanity. To visit The Ponds of Bull Valley, take Interstate 90 west to Route 47 north to McConnell Road and drive east to the community. Sales center hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. For more information, call (815) 337-1410, or visit www.deerpointhomes.com.