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In the Press
Newport
Cove offers lakefront living.
JULY 8-10,
2009. SUN-TIMES NEWS GROUP What
makes someone decide to move, to buy a new home? The
residents of Newport Cove have one answer: Water. Newport Cove, with its lakefront
location, planned community and coastal style architecture, makes residents feel
they are living the good life 12 months a year. “We like living in Newport Cove,”
said Pat Vogler who, with her husband Don, built a waterfront home there, moving
in just over a year ago. “It is always enjoyable looking at the water. It changes
morning to night and with each season. Newport Cove is a great place to entertain
friends and family. We feel we are on a permanent vacation.” The
42-acre community overlooks Bluff Lake, one of the deepest lakes on the Chain
O’ Lakes. The single-family-home development features custom-built homes and offers
its residents a private 130-plus-slip marina complete with water and electricity,
a private eight-acre waterfront park, and paths meandering throughout the community
and bordering its 1,800 feet of shoreline. Anchoring the waterfront park is a
large pavilion with outdoor kitchen and restroom facilities. Forty percent of
the community is open space, much of it landscaped with native plants and wildflowers.
“Newport
Cove is unique in that we have new beautifully constructed homes in a lakeside
community setting,” said JoeRippel. He, his wife Toni and their two college-aged
children moved into their new home last year. “After a hard day of work, there
is nothing more refreshing than a walk down to the lake, or an evening fishing
on the pier and enjoying the beautiful sunsets. It’s better than going on vacation
since you live where you can enjoy your life every day of the year.” Zoned
for 67 single-family residences, the community offers three distinct “neighborhoods,”
each appealing to a different customer demographic. Award-winning custom builder
New American Homes is building residences priced from the $300,000s to more than
$1 million. “Although
we have a wide range of prices, we find that all of our customers have the same
goal: To live where they play,” said Susanne Tauke, president of New American
Homes. “Family time is important to most of our buyers. Almost every one of them
has told me they want to live in a place their children and extended families
can enjoy.” The
first neighborhood, the Cottages at Newport Cove, includes a cluster of 31 maintenance-
free homes designed for the empty-nester or weekend homebuyer. Ranging in size
from 1,500 to more than 2,400 square feet (plus full basements), the Cottages
have low-maintenance exteriors of fiber cement siding and stone, first-floor master
suites, large open living spaces with designer kitchens, two to four bedrooms
and tech centers. Amenities
such as hardwood floors, extra-tall interior doors, extra-tall Pella windows,
extra-wide trim, stainless steel appliances and solid-surface countertops are
standard. All four Cottage models come with two-car garages; in the larger models,
the garage also has room for a golf cart. The Cottages are priced from $335,000.
On
the waterfront is a neighborhood of 21 large home sites designed for custom, build-to
suit homes, all accommodating walkout lower levels. Prices for the waterfront
lots start at $375,000. Buyers can bring in their own builder, or have New American
Homes build the home for them. New American’s waterfront home and lot packages
start in the high $700,000s. Finally,
a neighborhood of 15 estate home sites is located just off the water. Again, the
buyers can design their custom home and have it built by an approved builder,
or use New American Homes. Prices for the estate home sites start at $120,000;
New American’s house/lot packages start in the $400,000s. While
most of the houses on the Chain depend upon individual septic systems, Newport
Cove has its own state-of-the-art community sewer system, ensuring a clean “green”
environment for its residents. Water comes from individual wells. “Newport
Cove is planned to ensure a pleasant, attractive environment for years to come,”
said Tauke. “Strict architectural guidelines govern the building of each home.
For example, all trim must be white and all roofs the same color. The developer’s
architectural review committee must approve all plans. And, strict covenants ensure
that residents can enjoy a serene, peaceful lifestyle.”
“We are fortunate to have a high site — several feet above flood level — with
a rolling topography. Extensive landscaping, much of it featuring native plants
and highlighted by white fencing and stonewalls, enhances the waterfront look,”
Tauke added. New
American Homes, through its primary lender Home State Bank of Crystal Lake, is
offering below-market 30-year financing or a program where the developer will
pay several months of the first year’smortgage. “We
find a pent-up demand for new homes,” said Tauke, “but in today’s environment
customers are afraid to make the purchase until they have sold their existing
house. These programs help fill in the gap.” The
Fox River’s Chain O’ Lakes is the second largest inland water-oriented recreational
asset in northeast Illinois (number one is Lake Michigan) and ranks second in
popularity in the entire United States. It includes more than 7,100 acres of water
with 15 lakes, 40 miles of river and 450 miles of shoreline. Boaters can easily
travel from lake to lake via a system of canals. In
recent years, land and home values on the Chain have rapidly escalated as the
area has attracted boaters and water sports lovers who desired a destination close
to Chicago. Numerous rustic cottages on the Chain have been replaced by large,
modern homes. Another reason for the increase in property values is the massive
strides the federal and state government has made in improving the water quality
of the Chain’s rivers and lakes. NewportCove’s
sales center is open noon to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday or by appointment.
To
visit from Interstate 94 and Lake Cook Road, proceed north on I-94 approximately
23miles to Route 172,west (left) about eight miles to Route 59, south (left) about
two miles to Grass Lake Road, west (right) about one mile to Bluff Lake Road,
north (right) to the sales center. To
visit from Rand Road (Route 12) and Lake Cook Road, proceed north on Route 12
approximately 18miles to Route 59,north (right) about six miles to Grass Lake
Road, west (left) about one mile to Bluff Lake Road, north (right) to the sales
center.
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