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40 I prime. Your guide to new homes

MARCH 9, 2011 MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE

Whittaker’s New Town at St. Charles is the cure for wintertime blues “People are tired of winter and looking forward to spring,” says Greg Whittaker, president of Whittaker Homes. And what better place to enjoy spring than at The New Town at St. Charles?

The events calendar fills up pretty quickly with concerts, karaoke, trivia nights, music and wine festivals and even a town Easter egg hunt. Residents can enjoy shopping at Marsala’s Market, Second Hand Rose décor and gifts and other stores, as well as fine dining at Padavan’s NY restaurant. Plus there’s the recently expanded New Town Fitness. As the weather warms, families have fun under the sun at Shire Lane Pool and crowds gather to watch and participate in sand volleyball.

“There are so many things to do at New Town,” said Whittaker. “It’s just an unbelievable place. We’re writing contracts every week.”

In fact, more than 1,000 families and individuals have purchased homes in New Town since it opened in 2003. “We’ve sold more homes in just seven years in New Town than any other project in our company’s 30-year history,” noted Whittaker.

“People like the close-in location in the city of St. Charles, the products and the pricing, Whittaker said. “We have real wooden porches, pre-finished fiber cement siding, Azek trim and fascia and other extras that you don’t get in other communities.”

The big news for spring includes two recently introduced homestyles.

Buyers can choose from three versions of uniquely designed Cottage Villas with two bedrooms and two baths priced from $128,500 to $148,500. “People have been asking for these,” Whittaker said. “There are no monthy maintenance fees as with many villas. Here, you own your homesite.”

Also attracting a lot of attention is a pair of new two-story models with four bedrooms priced from just $149,500. “Many people think we’re advertising a ranch at

this price, but this is a two-story home.”

But there’s more! Many have been asking about larger lots at NewTown,Whittaker said, “so we created a neighborhood of half-acre homesites that we call Sycamore Crossing.

It’s just a two-minute walk from everything.

Buyers can meet with our town architect, Tim Bussee, and design a custom home as one couple did recently.”

To visit New Town take Highway 370 to north on New Town Boulevard 1.5 miles to the entrance on the right. Call 636-9492700 or visit www.newtownatstcharles. com.

Meanwhile, at Whittaker’s Glenhurst townhome community in Wentzville, value-hunting buyers will delight in a four-bedroom, 2½-bath home with two-car garage from just $116,500. “We’ve sold nearly three dozen since these new plans were introduced,” Whittaker noted. The townhomes, which feature new elevations, are only attached at the two-car garage, and buyers have their own front yard and large back yard, so there are no monthly maintenance fees.

Glenhurst has an ideal location just minutes from Wentzville Parkway shopping.

To visit Glenhurst take I-70 to Wentzville Parkway to west on the South Service Road to left on Point Prairie Road. Call 636-332-9988.

At Whittaker’s nearby Golf Club of Wentzville on Hepperman Road in Wentzville, a new series of detached villas priced from the $120,000s is available in this quiet, 18-hole championship golf course community. Single-family homes also start from the $120’s. Call 636-332-0052.

And just off I-70 on Highway Z in Wentzville, Whittaker is nearing closeout at famous Stone Meadows, the fastestselling community in St. Charles County for many years. Fewer than two dozen homesites remain. For information call 636-332-0052. Visit www.whittakerhomes. com for details on all Whittaker Homes communities.

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MARCH 9, 2011 MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE

Home sales may jump as refinancing falls Mortgage companies make money in two main ways: Financing the purchase of homes and refinancing homes already purchased. Up to now, historically low mortgage rates have driven a strong refi market. As rates start to climb over 5%, a big concern for many mortgage bankers is what happens when all the refinance business dries up.

It’s a big concern because folks who have recently refinanced probably will stay in the same homes — with the same loans — for a long time. They don’t want to give up their very low rates by moving or refinancing.

On the plus side, even though that group is effectively out of the market there’s a whole ‘nother bunch of buyers who have been waiting for the Recession to ease up so they could get back in - so there actually is a pent-up demand for homes.

What’s more, housing prices are expected to bottom out this year.

“Pricing is down so much in some markets that when you analyze renting versus owning it makes much more sense to own,” says Michael Larson, a real-estate analyst at Weiss Research in Jupiter, Fla. The

National Association of Realtors reported that residential resales improved by 2.7% in January, the fifth increase in the past six months.

The Mortgage Bankers Association predicts that home sales will rise 2% this year and 16% in 2012. And sales of new homes should rise by 20% in 2011 and 40% in 2012. Here’s why: Housing is the most affordable it has been in decades, according to analysts at Moody’s Analytics. Right now, nationally, the cost of a house is the equivalent of about 19 months of total pay for an average family, the lowest level in 35 years. Prices usually average close to two years’ pay, although that varies across the country.

Younger workers who are still living at home with their parents, couples who are renting and individuals who have doubled up with roommates due to an uncertain economy are about to wake up and smell the savings. As the labor market improves, these potential households will be unlocked, and that will help to reduce the excess supply of housing – perhaps faster than many analysts expect.

Here’s what else is happening:

A four-bedroom home from $116,500?

It’s true. At Whittaker Homes’ Glenhurst townhome community in Wentzville, value-hunting buyers will find a four-bedroom, 2½-bath home with two-car garage from just $116,500. “We’ve sold nearly three dozen since these new plans were introduced,” said Greg Whittaker. The townhomes, which feature new elevations, are only attached at the two-car garage, and buyers have their own front yard and large back yard, so there are no monthly maintenance fees. To visit take I-70 to Wentzville Parkway to west on the South Service Road to left on Point Prairie Road. Call 636-332-9988. At Whittaker’s nearby Golf Club of Wentzville on Hepperman Road in Wentzville, a new series of detached villas priced from the $120,000s is available in this quiet, 18-hole championship golf course community. Single-family homes also start from the $120’s. Call 636-3320052. And just off I-70 on Highway Z in Wentzville, Whittaker is nearing closeout at Stone Meadows, the fastest-selling community in St. Charles County for many years. Fewer than two dozen homesites remain. For information call 636-332-0052.

Visit www.whittakerhomes.com for details on all Whittaker Homes communities.

Kevin Weaks Warmer weather is on its way, and it’s the perfect time to make Thomas & Suit Homes’ Wyndgate Forest your new-home destination.

Here, the spring foliage will be absolutely breathtaking, with 55 acres of spectacular wooded common ground, four magnificent parks and scenic walking trails. And with summer approaching, Wyndgate Forest homeowners can enjoy an outstanding swimming pool with an impressive brick bath house, two sports courts and bicycle lanes. As if that’s not enough, Wyndgate Forest’s great location near Highway 40 and Highway N puts you minutes from dining, entertainment and shopping. Does all this make you want to move in right now? Then Thomas & Suit has a beautiful Persimmon 1 ½-story just for you. Priced at only $449,000 this 3,311-square-foot See HOME SALES, page 42

42 I prime. Your guide to new homes

MARCH 9, 2011 MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE

HOME SALES, from page 41

home takes full advantage of the parklike Wyndgate Forest surroundings. T&S Homes also is building at Sommers Landing and The Enclave at Sommers Pointe, where the brand-new Alberta ranch awaits.

The 2,260-square-foot Alberta has 11-foot ceilings in the great room, breakfast room, hearth room and kitchen, and is priced at just $329,000. For information call 636561-2173 or visit www.tshomes.net.

Payne Family Homes prides itself in listening to customers, says Sales and Marketing Director Ed Lott. As a result, the homebuilder has introduced a new line of homes called the Vision Series, “a visionary collection of customer-designed homes at prices and sizes consistent with the way you want to live,” according to their advertisements. The seven all-new designs have features such as two master suites with luxury baths and walk-in closets, multipurpose rooms, and a single-level model that offers an optional penthouse suite. The Vision Series is available at Ashton Woods in Eureka; Ohmes Farm, Bella Vista and The Pointe at Heritage Crossing, all in St. Peters. Prices start in the upper $100,000s.

In addition to the new Vision Series, Payne recently announced that it is now selling homes from the low $200,000s at Boulder

Ridge on Highway Z just south of I-70.

For information call 314-477-1218 or go to www.paynefamilyhomes.com. By the way, Payne Family Homes is enjoying its best year ever – a more than 242% increase in home sales (35 in 2009 to 85 in 2010), nearly tripling its 2009 revenues.

Who would have thought that there’d be time when it was cheaper to buy than rent? Actually, when you consider the tax advantages of home ownership, it’s always smarter to buy, and in the case of Parkside Commons Condominiums off Vance Road in Valley Park, there are even more reasons.

The garden-style two-bedroom, two-bath units offer around 1,180 square feet and are currently priced from $127,900. With FHA/MHDC financing, buyers can move in for as little as $1,900 and as a bonus their condo fees will be paid for the first year. But that’s not all. Buyers can receive $4,000 to spend any way they wish, appliances, closing costs and more upgrades, plus choose between a refrigerator or fullsized washer and dryer. Only a few homes remain available in the first of two mid-rise buildings, which back to forest land that has been donated for use as a park and wildlife trails. Construction of the second building will begin in May and a community swim-

ming pool is planned. Parkside Commons is being developed by Larry Hedrick, son of former Valley Park Mayor Cal Hendrick, and is offered by Robert Biggs Realtors.

For information call 636-225-8585.

Consort Homes, the largest “certified green builder” in Missouri, has been recognized by national home builder organization Builder Partnerships for delivering one of the highest levels of customer service in the home building industry. “We are proud to be one of only a few home builders to receive this award from Builder Partnerships,” said Ken Stricker, CEO of Consort Homes. “The service rating we received is a testament to our commitment to customer service and solidifies what customers already know – that Consort Homes provides quality homes and is the only builder for them.” Consort was the third largest single-family home builder in St. Louis in 2010, closing on 84 homes, which was a 50 percent increase from 2009.

The company expects to see a 25 percent increase in growth in 2011. Consort has 14 communities under development in Arnold, Chesterfield, Creve Coeur, Dardenne Prairie, Florissant, Imperial, Lake Saint Louis, St. Charles, St. Peters and Wentzville. Visit www.consort-homes.com.

Big premiere this Friday (March 11) for three new models at Greater Missouri Builders’ Townhomes at Queensbrooke off Harvester Road and Highway 94 in St. Peters. “Sales have been great here and at our Queensbrooke condos,” reports Kim Davison-Whalen, residential sales and marketing director for GMB. The new townhomes have two- car detached garages “with a nice-sized back yard between them,” Whalen said, “and all have large eat-in kitchens with center islands.” Exteriors a combination of brick and low-maintenance cement board siding. The standard Elizabeth model has two bedrooms and a loft, the Victoria has three bedrooms and a special version of the Elizabeth features two – yes, two - master suites. For details call 636-936-3615. “We have started construction on two new inventory homes at Brunhaven, now priced from the $280’s,” she added. “There is only one inventory home for sale there now with an asking price of $349,900. It’s a Carlton model with two bedrooms, two baths and an open floor plan.” Brunhaven is located on Olive Boulevard two miles north of Highway 40 in Chesterfield. Call 314-576-0404. Visit www.greatermissouribuilders.com.