North Iowa Builder's Tour of Homes

NORTH IOWA BUILDER’S

tour of homes

35 Venetian Drive, Clear Lake

519 River Bend Court, Mason City

Joshua Homes

River Bend Developers

Friday, April 26 • 5 pm – 8 pm Saturday, April 27 • 1 pm – 4 pm Sunday, April 28 • 1 pm – 4 pm Not featured but included in tour.

250 Sumac, Mason City

1204 Stenberg Drive, Clear Lake

714 Cypress Court, Mason City

2344 Ping Court, Mason City

Rye Construction

Joshua Homes

Larry Elwood Construction

Larry Elwood Construction

PAGE 2

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 2019

35 VENETIAN DRIVE, CLEAR LAKE BUILDER: TIM AND DAWN STENBERG • CONSTRUCTION COMPANY: JOSHUA HOMES

By Tom Thoma

I

ndoors or out, this newly constructed house in Clear Lake awaits buyers looking for unique opportunities.

Located at 35 Venetian Drive, it is the last house that will be built on Venetian Pond. Because of its location, the possibilities are almost limitless.

Big families will feel right at home in the five bedrooms and 3,057 square feet with a spacious family room on the lower level.

But it’s fine for couples, too, perhaps who like to entertain a lot or who have children and other relatives who like to visit.

Like to fish? Venetian Pond is fully stocked.

And access to Clear Lake is achieved on an association dock on North Shore Drive, accessible via a private walking path near the home.

There is a $500 annual association fee, $125 for the normal association dues and $375 for the dock fee.

“It’s over 3,000 square feet of living,” said Realtor Carrie Shannon. owner/broker at Hall Realty in Clear Lake. “It’s set up with the family in mind with three bedrooms on one floor, but it’s unique where a couple can use it, too.”

The five-bedroom, three-bath ranch home was completed this year

by Joshua Homes of Clear Lake and South Dakota and is listed at $529,000.

“They used all high-end stuff,” Shannon said.

That starts in the kitchen where slate GE appliances are featured —

refrigerator, oven, microwave and dishwasher.

A kitchen island with built-in sink will be the perfect place to prepare or serve a meal to be enjoyed right at the island or in the dining area.

Quartz countertops are beautiful yet durable. And wooden cabinets and soft-close drawers provide all the storage any cook could ever desire.

Adjoining the kitchen is the family room highlighted by subtle recessed lighting, featured throughout, and a floor-to-ceiling stone gas fireplace sure to take the chill off any night. It also offers access to a covered deck, perfect for three-season entertaining.

Natural-toned wooden floors run throughout the first floor, leading to the master bedroom suite overlooking the pond on one end and to two bedrooms on the other.

“The master bath has a walk-in shower with no curtain needed,” Shannon said. There is a double sink and vanities, and a walk-in closet is large enough to hold a couple’s varied wardrobe.

And for more private times, there is a patio off the master bedroom perfect for late-night wine and conservation.

The laundry room is next to the master bedroom.

Like the master — and virtually any room in the house — the two bedrooms on the opposite side are spacious and blank slates for a designer’s imagination. They share a bath, and, of course, there’s nothing says they have to be bedrooms if an office is a requirement of the new tenants.

While the first level is beautiful and functional, it’s a good bet the lower level will see considerable use.

A specially built staircase leads to a spacious basement area.

It features lightly-toned carpet that seems as functional as it does attractive.

And there are daylight windows that allow plenty of light to stream in.

But the most notable feature is the size — 36 feet long by 18 feet wide.

Sliding doors make for a perfect spot for a bar as the doors lead to another covered patio, ideal for entertaining on warm summer nights near Venetian Pond.

There are walls just begging for theater-sized TV screens in one spot, and less-large but still sizable screens on others. No missing any big games with the entertainment options offered by this living area.

Outside, the house features a three-stall garage and cement board exterior.

Says Shannon, “It all amounts to luxury living.”

FEATURED SUB-CONTRACTORS • Zilge’s Applicance Center • Clear Lake Bank & Trust • Overhead Door Company of Mason City • Schroeder Plumbing & Heating

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 2019

PAGE 3

519 RIVER BEND COURT, MASON CITY BUILDER: MIKE MOMBERG • CONSTRUCTION COMPANY: RIVER BEND DEVELOPERS

By Jerry Smith

W

hen you walk into River Bend Developer’s newest home at 519 River Bend Court, you are immediately struck by what listing agent Jim Vaith of River City Iowa Realty calls a “prairie school” feel.

The new 1,912-square-foot townhouse in the Village of River Bend development has an open design where you can see all the way through to the four-season room and out into a nature lover’s paradise.

“One of the nicest features is the area,” said Vaith of the development nestled on a cul-de-sac near the Winnebago River within city limits.

“The unit backs up to an open field and wooded area where you can see nature at its best.”

Vaith believes the property is one of the nicest homes available in the area with its spacious rooms, high ceilings, heated birch hardwood floors throughout the living area, pocket doors and a large stone-face gas fireplace all with the “highest” quality craftsmanship.

Listed at $325,000, the threebedroom, two-bath townhouse is larger than most in Mason City and includes a large master bedroom suite with plenty of custom-designed closet space in separate his and her arrangements.

Vaith thinks with large closets in each of the bedrooms and and oversized two-car garage, folks moving from a house into a townhouse will find plenty of storage space.

“When people transition from a single-family home to a townhome, they worry about storage,” he said.

“This place has plenty of room for that transition.”

HIGHLIGHTS

• The master bath that measures 17 x 14 features a large double vanity

and a full no-step ceramic tile walkin shower. The heated floors and plush carpeting in the bedrooms will be a welcome relief on those cold mornings.

• The other bedrooms measure 12 x 11 and 12 x 10 and have large closets.

• The eat-in kitchen features spacious cherry cabinets, hard surface quality countertops, stainless steel appliances.

• A small patio with a wall dividing the next-door unit is right off the four-season room in the back. The windows face the east and promotes the morning sun.

Vaith believes the location of this townhome built by River Bend Developers is in a prime location and is perfect for anyone transitioning from a single-family home to a townhome setting, especially those who want one-level living.

A Homeowners Association fee of $145 a month will give buyers worry-free living and includes snow removal, maintenance of grass, including mowing, fertilizing and spraying, maintenance of exterior siding and roof and exterior insurance.

“This is the first step of 17 more units to be built,” he said. “It’s in a quiet, out-of-the-way settings close to amenities and the townhomes are perfect for those not wanting to take steps.”

FEATURED SUB-CONTRACTORS • Mason City Lumber • Clear Lake Bank & Trust • Overhead Door Company of Mason City

PAGE 4

NNew Clear Lake

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 2019

NNeighborhood •Spacious lots •Great location •Quiet area •Select your own plan, finishes and colors •Tot lot playground coming soon •$375,000 - $595,000

Sunset Ridge is located behind the Pine Brooke neighborhood.

Take Buddy Holly, turn left on 12th Ave North.

For more details contact: Tim Stenberg • 605-373-9900

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 2019

PAGE 5

250 SUMAC ROAD, MASON CITY BUILDER: MICHAEL & ANDY RYE • CONSTRUCTION COMPANY: RYE CONSTRUCTION

By Globe Gazette Staff

B

uyers searching for a brandnew, never-been-lived-in home in one of Mason City's best neighborhoods can find it at 250 Sumac Road.

Built and owned by Rye Construction, the four-bedroom, threeplus bathroom, 3,800-square-foot residence in the Asbury subdivision has custom finishes, quality craftsmanship and a popular open floor plan.

"The house is very modern, very contemporary in its design," said listing agent Jennifer Ramaeker, of River City Iowa Realty.

The property is being co-listed with Dawn Rye. Listed for $369,00, the corner lot home features an extra wide driveway leading to the over-sized, extra-long garage with room for vehicles, toys and, if desired, a working area as well.

Guests entering the home's main entry will see the maple hardwood, open design and the striking white and dark wood open staircase.

The home's light-filled dining and family areas are open to the kitchen, which features all new stainless appliances, granite counter tops, white tile back splash and white StarMark cabinetry. The breakfast bar is accented by stone facing, and the kitchen is complemented by contemporary light fixtures.

The quality fixtures continue into the master bathroom, which has a quartz counter top, double vanity and extra large tiled, walk-in shower. It also features a full tub with tile surround, and ceramic tile flooring.

Nine-foot ceilings give the master bedroom adds to the roomy feel of the space, which has four windows.

Like all the bedrooms in the home, the master has a spacious, walk-in closet.

Two more bedrooms are located on the first floor. Both feature the home's signature walk-in closets, big windows and a ceiling fan. A full bathroom with ceramic tile flooring and a quartz counter top is conveniently located near the bedrooms.

The first floor also features a powder room, storage closets and a separate room for laundry. The maple flooring extends throughout the large common areas of the first floor, with high quality, brand new carpeting in the three bedrooms.

The home was designed to have a small carbon footprint. It meets Energy Star standards.

It also offers buyers the ability to customize the space to their liking.

In addition to offering a $4,500 appliance allowance, the builder is ready to work with buyers to customize the backyard deck and some fixtures, such as the cabinet pulls in the kitchen.

There are a number of homes in Asbury, including a residence a few houses away, that were built by Rye Construction and sport customized decks.

"The house, right now, is at a point where they're waiting for the input, decorative input, from the buyer," Ramaeker said.

Accessed through the open staircase, the basement is an area built for entertaining. The extra-wide,

lighted stairs lead to a large family area big enough to house a load of guests. It is connected to another common area, a floor plan buyers of other Rye Construction homes have praised for its flexibility, Ramaeker said.

In some cases, residents will use the large area as a family room and put up a pool table or other gaming table in the second area, said builder Mike Rye. "The comment I've heard from people is one area would be an exercise area and then a family room," said Ramaeker.

Rye, who operates Rye Construction with his cousin, Andy Rye, is carrying on a five-generation tradition of building homes in Mason City. The Rye family, which brought the building tradition with them from Norway, constructed Frank Lloyd Wright's famous Stockman house, as well as Trinity Lutheran Church. They also have worked on Mercy Medical Center.

Raemaker is also a member of the Rye family.

In the basement of 250 Sumac

Road, Rye's crews built the downstairs bedroom and bathroom to the same standards as found on the main floor. The bedroom features a large walk-in closet, and the bathroom has tiled flooring and a quartz counter top.

Basement offerings are rounded out by two additional rooms. Unfinished, the rooms offer the buyers flexibility of storage or could be finished into an office.

New egress casement windows and recessed lighting make the basement an inviting, airy space.

The outside of the home features steel siding and the yard of the 137-by-120-foot lot has been hydro seeded.

"Everything on the exterior is pretty much maintenance free," Rye said.

The home is listed for $369,000.

FEATURED SUB-CONTRACTORS • McCloskey's Appliance • Home Lumber

PAGE 6

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 2019

1204 STENBERG DRIVE, CLEAR LAKE BUILDER: TIM AND DAWN STENBERG • CONSTRUCTION COMPANY: JOSHUA HOMES

By Tom Thoma

A

new five-bedroom ranch home in the new Sunset Ridge neighborhood in Clear Lake offers up many possibilities for the home buyer.

Two houses have been sold in the neighborhood; this is the third, and is at 1204 Stenberg Drive.

While new, Sunset Ridge is not hard to find. Divided into 31 lots, the 18-acre tract on a former hay field is one-half mile north of Highway 18, just west of Buddy Holly Place.

General contractor is Joshua Homes, with developments in Iowa and South Dakota and owned by Tim and Dawn Stenberg. In fact, the house is at 1204 Stenberg Drive.

Realtor Carrie Shannon explained the house is in Phase One of the neighborhood. Phase Two will be to the south, Phase Three straight west, and town homes are planned to the east.

An open greenway will feature a Tot Lot where kids can play and

families can visit while watching their children.

She said the stick-built house is listed at $399,500, and houses in the neighborhood will average from $350,000 to $500,000.

Shannon said each of the houses built so far has unique qualities.

The ranch home at 1204 Stenberg Drive has five bedrooms — three on the main level and two in the finished basement. It also features a three-car garage.

The large master bedroom has a view of rolling land on the approximate three-quarter-acre lot. It has large closet space and spacious bathroom facilities.

The well-equipped kitchen is adjoined by dining and family areas, also with great views.

Imagination, said Shannon, is where potential new owners come in.

Those who buy before the finishing touches begin will get to “come in with their own footprint,” Shannon said.

“They can pick out flooring, paint

countertops, vanities — they truly get to make this their own home,” Shannon said, And if it doesn’t sell right away, enter Dawn Stenberg, Tim’s wife who Shannon called a genius at decorating.

She sits down with people and works with their budget to make the house just as they want it to be, Shannon said.

“It’s not as an overwhelming a process as people think it is,” Shannon said. “She’s good at holding people’s hands.”

FEATURED SUB-CONTRACTORS • Zilge’s Applicance Center • Clear Lake Bank & Trust • Overhead Door Company of Mason City • Schroeder Plumbing & Heating

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 2019

PAGE 7

714 CYPRESS COURT, MASON CITY BUILDER: LARRY ELWOOD • CONSTRUCTION COMPANY: LARRY ELWOOD CONSTRUCTION

By Jerry Smith

I

f you are looking for a spacious home that is fully furnished and decorated to the nines, look no further than the ranch-style home being offered by Larry Elwood Construction at 714 Cypress Court in Mason City.

Since Larry Elwood Construction started building homes more than 40 years ago, owners Larry and Zelda have decorated and lived in 38 homes they have had a hand in building before selling them to the right owners.

While the couple won’t be living at the Cypress Court property, Zelda’s decorating touch will still be front and center in the modern contemporary ranch home.

“Finally at 70 years old, they are starting to slow down some,” said Troy Elwood, the lead builder on the home. “Even though they won’t be

living at this home this time around, it will be fully furnished and beautifully decorated.”

The home, which is listed at $365,000, features a large living area with a trey (raised) ceiling, accent lighting and a modern ceiling fan that helps separate it from the spacious eat-in kitchen complete with granite countertops, a large island and specially-designed backsplash.

The kitchen also has a large pantry with plenty of storage space.

“We gave up some cabinet space so we could offer a large pantry,” said Zelda Elwood, co-owner and listing agent. “It’s a beautiful kitchen with top-of-the-line Maytag appliances and plenty of space to entertain.”

The living space and hallways have hardwood flooring throughout, which Zelda said is a prerequisite in new housing.

“We’re seeing a big push in hard floor coverings,” she said. “This house has hardwood flooring or tile throughout except in the three bedrooms.”

The 1,700-square-foot upstairs living space also features a master bedroom with a large walk-in closet.

The master bathroom also features two sinks with a cabinet between to store hair dryers and other bathroom essentials.

The house also features two goodsized bedrooms and a total of 2.5 bathrooms.

A hidden jewel at 714 Cypress Court is the very large finished family room in the basement and an opportunity to have two additional bedrooms, another full bath and plenty of storage space.

The carpeted family room is accentuated by a large picture window-sized egress window that lets in plenty of natural light.

“We were starting to see people put more money into finished basements,” Troy Elwood said.

“Traditional basement living doesn’t have much natural lighting, so we wanted to provide that with the large daylight window downstairs.”

With a finished basement, the house could have a total of 3,430 square feet of living space.

Other features at 714 Cypress Court: • An oversized three-stall garage with a working area.

• A mudroom that offers main floor laundry, complete with a sink basin.

• Sliding glass door leading to a large deck.

• Rollex steel siding.

“This is a big, open home with plenty of room for entertaining,” Zelda said. “And being in Asbury (neighborhood) with all of its walking paths, an opportunity to see nature is not far away.”

FEATURED SUB-CONTRACTORS • Clear Lake Bank & Trust • Overhead Door Company of Mason City • Hank's Plumbing • Budget Blinds

2344 PING COURT MASON CITY This soon-to-be finished house is also included in the tour.