Neotraditional developments–or neotrads to the housing crowd–are new interpretations of traditional communities that aim to conjure nostalgia for bygone architectural styles, for the safe and friendly atmosphere of small-town America, perhaps for life as lived in Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town” (but with cable, of course).
Big front porches with swings, white picket fences, kids playing in their yards and crossing the streets by themselves because, like the good old days, nobody speeds through quiet neighborhood streets. Everybody can walk to school, to the grocery store around the corner, to their house of worship.
HomeTown Aurora by Bigelow Homes intends to be that type of community. Its brochures describe a homey, almost effortless way of life.
The concept of a neotrad community is admirable, as is the philosophy of Perry Bigelow, president of Bigelow Homes. “Bigelow Homes is committed to designing and building homes and communities that are as environmentally and socially sustainable as the general market will accept,” he writes on the firm’s Web site (www.bigelowhomes.com).
This HomeTown (there’s another in Oswego) does have a certain charm for people who like trellises and togetherness. A potential buyer inspecting one model said, “You’d never guess from the road what this is like. It’s a different little world. It’s so cute.” True. It’s cute.
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There are five Cottage Homes, similar to town homes in their floor plans and often minus side windows. Each home’s garage is attached at the back of its home and, in turn, is attached to the garage of the neighboring home, with a narrow strip of land separating the residences. They’re from 916 to 1,430 square feet, base-priced from $115,450 to $141,900. Floor plans are similar: Stairs to one side, down to a large family room or family room and bedroom; up to living room, dining area, kitchen, one or two bedrooms; 2 baths. The Pavilion end unit is most interesting because its kitchen nook is a large bay.
Then there are four Courtyard Homes, from 1,300 to 1,740 square feet, base-priced from $141,960 to $159,900. Like Cottage Homes, these have rear-loading garages and are described as maintenance-free.
Finally, there are three styles of Neighborhood Homes. These plans are similar to Courtyards but with different names. They have bigger yards which owners must maintain, and they offer front- or side-loading garages. At any rate, the Town Square Courtyard plan becomes Uncle John’s House when it’s in the Neighborhood series, the Village Hall turns into the Parson’s House, etc.
Most of the Courtyard Homes and all of the Neighborhood Series have stairs directly inside the front door. They tend to have their living and family rooms blending on one side of the stairs, with a small dining area/open kitchen.
Because of HomeTown’s “design your own home” philosophy, it’s hard to say that a certain model is a two bedroom, two bath because there are two different first-floor plans and at least as many second-floor plans for each house.
Buyers should be apprised that the homes have standard patios in front of the entry. Whether the facade has a porch or not is determined by the elevation (front) the buyer chooses and its cost.
For all homes, the location and size of a lot determines whether a house can have a basement or not and whether certain design elements are required or simply available; buyers can expect these costs and options to add up; some homes are listed for as much as $199,080.
There is a lot to absorb here, especially because much information about the maintenance and logistics isn’t in any handy, printed form that prospects can take home and study. There’s nothing about a plan’s square footage or building materials.
Floor plans are not automatically offered. The builder guarantees that the bill for “the heating season” will be less than $400 a year (for the first three years) but there is nothing immediately available in writing that defines the heating season.
Andthe colorful brochures offered to all visitors are more about describing what’s to come, not what’s in place.
Examples: “Allen Elementary School is in HomeTown”; “Everybody lives no farther than a three-minute walk from one of our 13 parks”; “Kids also can visit . . . the non-denominational community church . . . without crossing a busy street.” And, the brochure also states clearly that views do not include “garages and front driveways.”
In fact, the Allen school is not in or part of HomeTown; it is within a short walk. There are only three parks (with 10 yet to be built) and the community church “is in the planning stages,” says Charlene Epps, HomeTown’s sales manager. And, there are definitely front-loading garages and driveways.
So prospective buyers should remember that’s it’s a great American tradition to ask a lot of questions, too.
HomeTown Aurora
Address: 1672 Plum Tree Lane, Aurora
Developed by: Bigelow Homes, Palatine
Phone: (630) 851-8040
Description: A development planned for 900 single-family homes (more than 400 are built), with open lands, ponds, parks, a convenience/general store. There are 13 floor plans; seven models, five are furnished. Amenities: Two-car garages, front patios, landscaped yards, dishwashers, garbage disposals, ranges, hoods, cultured marble counters, carpeting. Sports groups and holiday events are planned for residents.
Prices: Base-priced from $115,450 to $159,900. Choices include five basic styles for single-family Cottage Homes (connected by rear-loading garages) and four basic styles of single-family Courtyard Homes with attached rear-loading garages. Also, three styles of Neighborhood Homes with attached front- or side-loading garages. Association fees, $87-$112, for upkeep and snow removal from roads. Prices as of June 1.
Neighborhood: South of Interstate Highway 88, west of Illinois Highway 59, near Ogden Avenue (U.S. Highway. 34). Within driving distance to major supermarkets, Fox Valley Mall, Rush/Copley Memorial Hospital and train station.
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Contact Genevieve Buck at [email protected] or at the baiduhai, 435 N. Michigan Ave., 4th floor, Chicago, Ill. 60611.
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