The idea of living in a home with a pair of master bedroom suites really caught the fancy of many readers.
The House Hunter on July 28 described two of the models at Carillon Lakes in south suburban Crest Hill, an active adult (55-and-over) development by Cambridge Homes. Along with all the other practical stuff like a living/dining area, a kitchen and laundry facilities, both of the plans include two master suites–each with a bedroom, sizeable closets and a bathroom.
Some liked the plans because they offer roomy and separate quarters for visiting family or friends, or for siblings or a parent sharing the home; couples/partners thought it the ideal solution for each having some private space.
Readers such as George Gange of Glenwood wanted to know where to find similar housing in the south suburbs or Northwest Indiana. Others mentioned north or western suburbs and, yes, the city as well.
Many readers have, in fact, responded to several stories and columns relating to senior housing.
Estella Getz of Chicago asks me to “spread the word” that seniors “need more affordable retirement mobile home communities” such as some she’s seen near Matteson, Monee and Manteno.
If there were some just southwest of the city, she writes, “they would sell like hot potatoes because there are tons of seniors like me who cannot financially afford the fancier homes.”
Peter Huber of Rockford and Danny Wodrich of Chicago asked for information about communities such as Del Webb’s Sun City in Huntley, but they’re looking for a place closer to Chicago.
The Hubers want something that’s “very accessible to the train into the city” so they can enjoy “the Lyric, the museums, shopping.”
This is the last column before New Homes goes on hiatus–the six weeks’ break in our publishing schedule while the Festival of Homes promotional sections are published.
That doesn’t mean we’re taking long vacations. I’d like to hear more from buyers and potential buyers about over-55 housing (good/bad experiences in looking/buying; needs and desires, etc.) and from builders (trends evolving, innovative plans such as the two master bedrooms, buyer preferences, etc.). Snail-mail or e-mail only; no phone calls, please.
On the miscellaneous front
Now, to all the readers who write to ask for info, or simply to agree (thank you) or disagree (thank you, also), I wish I could answer you all individually. If I did, there’d be no time to write columns and stories.
First, for readers such as Dave Vanderkloot who e-mailed saying that he and his girlfriend will be moving to Chicago next summer and want to know how to go about finding neighborhoods with lofts and specialists in selling them.
Then to other readers who ask me to recommend a builder or Realtor, to find out how many lawsuits are filed against their builder, to order me to blast their agent for selling them a house with a leaky basement or a bat in the attic–well, I just can’t handle those. Can’t do personal research, can’t/won’t blast/praise without investigating and that would be a full-time job.
But, keep writing about interests, problems, needs and wants. That’s where ideas for stories and columns originate.
Nina takes me to task
“As a real estate reporter who presumably is up on all the trends in our industry, you of all people should have been reassuring your readers that, in fact, it’s quite EASY to find a buyer’s agent/broker nowadays!”
Well, Nina Gaspich of Skokie, where were you when I needed you?
She was referring to the Aug. 18 House Hunter reviewing Katherine Salant’s “The Brand-New House Book.”
The author strongly recommends that buyers of new houses hire a buyer’s agent, which is not the same as sales agents who may have affiliations with builders or real estate agencies. Hunter commented: “Try to find one.”
Ms. Gaspich was incensed that I “sarcastically” implied that they’re hard to find and that I questioned “the wisdom” of using one.
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Me sarcastic? Tsk, tsk. Not so.
I really meant it: I wrote “Try to find one” because I’ve been looking for one (actually, dozens or hundreds) at least since Feb. 27, 2000, when the Hunter column said: “I’m interested in hearing from owners and prospective buyers of new homes (including condos, lofts) who’ve had experiences working with independent buyer’s agents–people who help individuals through the buying and/or building process. Independent means they’re not affiliated with builders or real estate offices.”
The response was less than overwhelming: a couple of potential buyers saying would I let them know when I found some; a buyer’s agent with what seemed was a legitimate portfolio (and may have been) but was out of business when I called him later; a suburban firm that was more builder than independent counselor, and a national on-line group that didn’t follow up when I requested information.
So, thank you for writing, Ms. Gaspich; you’ve provided fodder for a House Hunter column . . . in October, when we return.
Readers sound off
In letters and e-mails, House Hunter readers:
– Ask about active adult communities: They like two master suites, want a Sun City close to or even in Chicago, need affordable senior housing and more.
– Request help: Find us a loft; tell off my builder (or real estate agent) who sold me this house with such poor drainage there’s a swamp in my backyard . . . .or, this loft that has no soundproofing; write something about builders who discriminate (against the disabled, the poor, any ethnic prospects); write about the builder in the far northwestern suburb who takes a year to come through with handling your problems.
– Tell the column: That the House Hunter column is sarcastic!
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Write to Genevieve Buck at baiduhai, Business, Fourth Floor, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, Il. 60611; or [email protected].