Dreaming of a White Lake Vista

ELGIN, IL, December 21 - Piles of snow and gusts of chilly winds don't discourage a true outdoorsman or woman. If fact, those wintry things might do the opposite. That's why Lake Vista in Lake Villa remains a hot development even now in the cold weather months. Occupying a compact cul-de-sac, each of the Vista's 27 classically designed homes will back up into a peaceful and private wooded area-in a northern suburb known for its sparkling lakes and scenic forests. The development will border a private beach and a boat launch on Deep Lake. And here's where white can take over the green: the lake includes tracks for snowmobiles. Such news can only quicken the pulse of people who appreciate winter and/or water sports.

"That's why interest in the Vista remains high, even in these traditionally slower months for homebuying," said Scott Ballard, Director of Sales and Marketing for Grand Pointe. "The Vista provides great access to people who love outdoor sports. They love the wide-open natural spaces here," he said.

Of course, the large, luxurious homes also appeal to Vista visitors. Containing three, four, or five bedrooms, they come with formal living rooms, formal dining rooms, studies, two-story family rooms, gourmet kitchens, and loads of space-ranging in size from 2,100 to 3,552 square feet (and in price from $379,900 to $449,900). They're homes built with real families in mind. "Our large living areas are designed to provide growing families with all the space they'll need," said Ballard. He adds that all that classic space comes with the attention to detail and craftsmanship for which Grand Pointe is well known.

Buyers can also see the detail and craftsmanship in the unique touches that variously help shape the community's seven models (which even includes a traditional one-story ranch, the Scottsdale). Art niches-places for a prized photo or painting-provide one such twist on the conventional. Another is a dramatic skybridge that connects a two-story foyer and family room. Others include imposing columns separating a dining room and living room; a master suite with its own octagonal sitting room; an octagonal breakfast area connected to a gourmet kitchen; a turret-style dinette; private commodes in their own roomettes; studies and master suites with double-door entryways; arched openings; and much more. They all lend a classic custom touch-and in some cases, artistic-feeling to the homes.

Meanwhile, Grand Pointe offers buyers plenty of choice, encouraging them to add their own personality to the home through upgrades such as bay windows, skylights, Jack and Jill baths, lofts, extra bedrooms, cathedral ceilings in master bedrooms, three-car garages, and-even-raised-platform Roman tubs between pillars in the master baths. "Buyers have the flexibility to essentially put their family's personal stamp on their new home," said Ballard.

Distinctive style isn't confined to just the inside of Lake Vista's homes. The exteriors can encompass covered entries, large front porches, shutters and coordinating trim, archways, coach lights, and decorative windows such as transoms, half-rounds, and palladians. Each floor plan comes in several exterior variations, producing many eye-catching elevations. Furthermore, Grand Pointe offers a variety of colors and materials (including brick, siding, and Dryvit) to help create diverse streetscapes and curb appeal.

"The appointments of Lake Vista are so exceptional that-when completed-it will almost seem like a community of custom homes. And that's even before you consider the full basements, central air conditioning, and 90-percent high-efficiency furnaces, all of which are standard features. When you add Grand Pointe's high-end construction standards to the mix, you realize Lake Vista will be one very special place-equally classic and contemporary," said Ballard.

And in the ultimate option, families can have their model built on one of the development's two oversized double lots. "You can't beat these sites for spaciousness, and that's why they kind of epitomize the wonderful outdoor appeal of Lake Vista," he said.

To see a Lake Vista model, take 294 to Grand Avenue, exit and head west to the sales center, which is located two blocks east of Route 83. Sales office hours are 1 to 4 Saturday and Sunday or by appointment. For more information about the homes, (call 847 356-8600) or click here.

Submitted 12/21/2007