Several homes ready for early delivery; $25,000 in free upgades now available when building a new home

Home shoppers who are tired of the uphill battle of climbing stairs are heading to Mill Creek in Geneva to get a closer look at Shodeen Residential’s newest ranch model, The Abbey, now on display.

Spurred on by a number of key factors, ranch homes have grown in popularity in recent years, as evidenced by increased interest in single-level homes at Mill Creek, according to Mark Thomas, president of Shodeen Residential.

“We have had many requests for an upscale ranch from empty nesters who desire single-level living, and this is the first ranch model we’ve featured at Oakmont in a long time,” said Thomas. “The Abbey floorplan is a flexible one. It can be customized into a one-and-a-half story design that provides two bedrooms and a bath upstairs or a loft and a bath upstairs, built over the kitchen and master bedroom suite. Plus, the included basement can be finished.”

What’s primarily driving the demand for ranches at Mill Creek is the Baby Boomer generation—“buyers now entering their empty nester years who yearn for a home with fewer stairs,” said Thomas. “The Boomers’ kids have grown up and moved off to college or are starting their professional lives, so the upstairs is no longer needed.”

Consequently, “these buyers want a more ‘maintenance-free’ lifestyle, without having to worry about stairs in the future. One-floor living is more practical to them and easier to keep clean and maintained. And we use many maintenance-free materials in our residences that make home upkeep easy, providing residents with more time to enjoy our plentiful community amenities,” Thomas said.

Boomers aren’t the only ones clamoring for Shodeen ranches, however. Kathy Rabin, sales manager for Oakmont, added that ranch homes also appeal to a significant number of younger buyers who desire many of the same benefits—including growing families who want to protect their young children from the danger of stairs, as well as buyers with fond memories of growing up in a ranch home.

“Some buyers are looking to downsize from a larger two-story home to a somewhat smaller ranch for a simpler, more affordable and lower-maintenance lifestyle, said Rabin. “That’s not to say, however, that designs like The Abbey are small. In fact, our Abbey ranch spans a comfortable 2,378 square feet, which is nearly 300 square feet larger than ranches we offer at our Tanna neighborhood.”

The Abbey model now open for touring handsomely showcases the wealth of standard amenities built into the floorplan, which features three bedrooms, two baths, a three-car garage and a full basement. Additionally, the model boasts an array of extras and architectural upgrades that demonstrate how this ranch can be personalized to suit any buyer’s tastes.

For example, vaulted ceilings can be found in the living room, family room and kitchen nook, while tray ceilings grace the dining room, master bedroom suite and master bath. The kitchen nook is nicely equipped with a bay window, granite countertops and custom cabinetry. A two-story masonry fireplace with a raised hearth stands out in the family room. Attractive hardwood floors line the kitchen, family room and hallways, and the bathrooms sport marble countertops. The laundry room provides a built-in laundry tub and plentiful cabinets. The ceiling in the deep-poured basement is nearly nine feet high. And exterior highlights include a rear 10 x 20-foot composite deck with cedar railings, architectural shingles on the roof, an all-brick front elevation, a premium front door and extensive landscaping.

Rabin said that an Abbey can be built to suit for a starting base price of only $384,900 (all prices subject to change without notice).

For those eager to claim an early-move-in Abbey of their own, Shodeen is building one now that will be ready for delivery in December, priced at $475,000.

• The Abbey isn’t the only early occupancy residence buyers can select at Oakmont, however. Also for sale are the following homes, each of which includes significant upgrades, from hardwood floors and granite countertops to deep-poured basements and extra-large homesites:
• A two-story Remington II, situated at 38W482 McQuire Pl., and a Remington II set at 38W583 Berquist Dr.—both offering four bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, three car garage and 2,948 square feet—ready for immediate occupancy and priced at $450,500 and $539,000, respectively.
• A Benjamin II located at 0N564 Morrill Dr., available for immediate move-in and featuring four bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, three-car garage and up to 2,988 square feet—priced at $460,325.
• A two-story Franklin I located at 0N631 Keenan Dr., and a Franklin I set at 0N634 Morrill Dr., each offering four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, three-car garage, gourmet kitchen, and fireplace. The former spans 3,382 square feet and is priced at $549,740 and available for immediate occupancy; the latter offers 3,364 square feet and a brick front and is priced at $499,900 and slated for September delivery.

One other early move-in opportunity available is a Prairie Ranch I, located at 40W041 Chadsworth Dr. and ready for immediate delivery within Mill Creek’s nearby Tanna neighborhood. The Prairie Ranch I includes three bedrooms, two baths, three-car garage and 2,035 square feet and is priced at $389,432.

Aside from The Abbey, Rabin noted that Oakmont recently introduced two new floorplans never before offered at the community that buyers can choose to be built: The St. Charles, a two-story design that includes four bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, two-car garage, full basement, first-floor study, 3,035 square feet and more; and The Parker, another two-story home that features four bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, two-car garage, full basement and 2,539 square feet.

Buyers also can select from several other distinctive luxury single-family floorplans at Oakmont, base priced from the mid $300,000s.

“Best of all, we’re currently offering a special incentive to purchasers,” said Rabin. “For a limited time, you can take $25,000 off the upgrades of your choice, or use the money to buy down the interest rate on your mortgage loan if you finance through one of our preferred lenders. That’s a deal that just can’t be beat, but you’d better act fast to take advantage of it.”

Shodeen’s Mill Creek is one of the finest residential developments in unincorporated Kane County. Boasting a country club lifestyle, the community offers 36 collective holes of golf, on-site schools and retailers and quality-built residences spread across several different neighborhoods.

An estimated 800 acres of the master-planned community—a whopping 45 percent—is open space dedicated to outdoor recreation and ecological preservation. Mill Creek features 127 acres of preserved wetlands, 195 acres of open parks and 17 miles of nature and bike trails. The property also is loaded with mature trees, picturesque lakes and ponds, scenic landscaping, lush grasslands and rolling hills with up to 80-foot elevations.

What’s more, residents enjoy two premier golf courses providing breathtaking views—including Tanna Golf Club, which recently expanded from a nine- to 18-hole course; a Village Center offering convenient on-site retailers, such as a grocery store, dry cleaners and a dentist; a clubhouse and outdoor swimming pool; a restaurant; two churches; and highly ranked schools for children to attend within Geneva Community Unit School District #304, including Mill Creek Elementary and the soon-to-open Fabyan Elementary.

Homeowners also value Mill Creek’s preferred setting, which is easy to reach and conveniently accessible to popular destinations—from historic downtown Geneva to Randall Road shopping to the Metra train station just minutes away. The nearby Geneva Commons shopping center also has a variety of shops, stores and restaurants, including Williams-Sonoma, Ann Taylor, Pottery Barn and Banana Republic. And a Super Wal-Mart is within a mile’s drive.

To reach Mill Creek, take I-90 west and exit Randall Road; proceed south toward Geneva; turn west on Keslinger Road; and proceed west to the models. Or, take I-88 west to Orchard Road; head east to Randall Road; proceed north to Keslinger Road; and head west to the models. Hours at all neighborhoods are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday. For more information about Oakmont, Mill Creek or Shodeen Residential visit www.shodeenhomes.com.