Two of the six town home models at Bridgewater in west suburban Naperville are standouts in a development with entry-level or first-time buyer prices, with base prices starting at $139,990.
The Bayshore, with three bedrooms and two baths, is an end-unit upper-level ranch, which means it’s up a flight of stairs from the entry and garage with all living space on one level — the second floor.
With the end-unit advantage of having extra windows, the Bayshore is bright and its open floor plan seems to add space; it has another helper — contemporary furnishings in a crisp lime, lilac and white color theme.
The Evian, which has more grandiose furnishings, is a two-story end unit, with two bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, plus an appealing two-story foyer and living room with loads of windows.
By contrast, the two-bedroom, two-bath Antioch looks a bit too cozy — read, cramped — though oversized furniture could be the culprit. However, its one-level, first-floor end-unit placement might make it the most attractive, practical model to mature downsizers.
The other three models — a Coronado and two Creeksides — share what I consider a disadvantage but what others may totally overlook: In each case, the staircase from the first living level to the second floor sits just beyond the entry door and foyer, making it the first and almost only thing visitors see when the door is opened.
In the Evian, the staircase from the first living level to the second floor is behind the entry door, just off the living room. In the Bayshore, the only upper-level ranch plan, carpeted stairs lead from the ground floor or entry level up to the living area, and then, of course, they’re out of sight.
But, alas and alack, the availability of both the Evian and three-bedroom Bayshore is dismal for those who want to buy now and move in the near future.
The three-bedroom Bayshores and two-bedroom Evians (there are other models with the same names but different configurations) that are currently or soon will be under construction are spoken for, or “sold out,” according to Bridgewater’s sales director, Ann Bock. Potential home buyers set on buying either of these two models probably can order and wait.
So, why tempt readers by even mentioning these two models?
Because they illustrate what might seem curious but interesting situations in the entry-level and/or first-time buyer market.
Both the Evian ($158,990) and Bayshore ($160,990) are at the top price-wise.
The Antioch (1,264 square feet) and the Coronado ($139,990) are the smallest and least expensive, respectfully, but they’re not the fastest sellers.
Why do the bigger, more pricey homes in entry-level communities sometimes move before the budget ones that were created to catch the eye of the neophyte buyer? Did some buyers who came to Bridgewater fall in love with Evian’s enticing living room or the Bayshore’s windows or decor and toss their planned budgets to the wind?
Probably not, says John Kamin, a former builder turned buyer’s agent who founded New Home Finders in Arlington Heights. Prospective buyers often hire such independent agents to help them build or find exactly what they want in their price range.
“Buyers are more practical and prudent than that,” Kamin says, referring to buying for “frivolous” reasons.
“The biggest mistake first-time buyers make is to buy too small,” he says and also advises buyers. Kamin says that when buyers hear of resale possibilities and when they’re told about translating interest rates and other financial matters into dollars and cents per month (not as lump sums) and then compare the differences between the larger and smaller home, “given the opportunity, they often opt for the bigger house.”
For some buyers, the furnished Creekside model is the answer, with its two stories, two bedrooms, loft-type den and 2 1/2 baths.
Beyond the entry and the distracting staircase, are a combined living room (nearly 12 by 15 feet) and dining area (11 by 11), the latter nicely opening to a patio at the back of the home. A half-wall separates the dining space from the kitchen, which is not quite large enough for table and chairs. But, that’s what dining rooms are for, right?
Back to the entry: Immediately to the left is a guest closet and then, also to the left, is a hallway leading to a powder room and the kitchen; the kitchen opens to the utility/laundry room, which, in turn, opens to the garage.
Upstairs, there’s the master bedroom, quite impressive with its volume ceiling, large bath and walk-in closet, along with a small (12-by-13-foot) bedroom, long and narrow full bath plus that loft/den, large enough for a smallish home office or maybe sofa-bed and TV. This Creekside’s space (1,388 square feet) seems well-used, and the base price ($145,990) is indeed entry-level.
