IN THE PRESS

Publication: The Beacon News(IL)
Date: September 9, 2006

Buyers Find High Value at Buckingham Orchard

Joanne and Bill Radtke wanted to move from their Westmont townhome of 15 years and find a new townhome with a better floor plan layout and a host of luxury features.

They also wanted to remain in the western suburbs and looked for several months for just the right home. When they visited Buckingham Orchard in west suburban Lombard, a luxury townhome community by Dearborn Buckingham Group, they felt confident this would be their new home. Buckingham Orchard is near North Avenue and old Route 53 in Lombard and features 34 townhomes starting in the $340,000s.

"We had been looking at townhomes since last summer wand when we saw an ad for Buckingham Orchard earlier this year, we were anxious to go take a look, because finding quality new construction townhomes in the western suburbs is difficult," said Bill. "We liked the location of the community, the layout of the homes and their included features."

The townhomes at Buckingham Orchard are two-story designs offered in three different floor plans, with standard and end-unit configurations available. The new Cedar plan highlights a first floor master suite. Pre-construction prices begin in the $340,000s depending on building location and floor plan size. A decorated and furnished model will open this fall. The first deliveries are planned for this fall, the same time the Radtkes will be moving in.

Each townhome floor plan at Buckingham Orchard features two or three bedrooms; a convertible loft; 2 ½ baths; a full basement and a two-car garage. Every home features a deluxe "Owner's Suite," with walk-in closet and private bath. Another nice feature and one that the Radtkes appreciated, is that approximately 70-percent of the homes include lookout or daylight basements.

Bill and Joanne selected the 1,750 square-foot Ash floor plan, which is about the same size as their existing townhome, but with a much better and more efficient layout.

"We really wanted to find a new townhome with an improved floor plan compared to what we have now and the Ash had everything we wanted. The layout of the kitchen, with its center island and breakfast bar is great and having a family room in addition to a living and dining room will give us much more flexibility," Bill said.

The Ash is an end-unit home with an open floor plan showcasing large and bright windows. This home has two bedrooms; a loft that can be converted into a third bedroom; a dramatic two-story living room; a formal dining room and family room open to the eat-in kitchen. The couple also liked the flexibility of the second floor, with its loft and laundry room at the top of the stairs.

"The loft will be our office and since Joanne works from home quite often, this space will function perfectly for her. Having the laundry on the second floor will also be a nice feature for us," said Bill.

The Ash also includes a two-story entry foyer with an angled staircase and plant shelf. The family room flows into the kitchen which features the center island and breakfast bar that caught the couple's eye, a corner pantry and sliding glass doors that lead to the rear deck.

The Radtke's townhome also has a look-out basement, which Bill plans on finishing off in the future.

The level of luxury the couple hoped to find in a new townhome is evident in the Ash's Owner's Suite, which has a row of large windows for lots of natural light. An oversized walk-in closet with window and a private full bath with double bowl vanity; soaking tub; separate walk-in shower; water closet and linen storage are included.

"There was a lot that we liked right away about the Ash floor plan. The size of the kitchen, the look-out basement and the loft upstairs all were features we knew we wanted. Having a low-maintenance lifestyle and an established west suburban location were also key for us," Bill said.

The Dearborn-Buckingham Group has created a quiet neighborhood setting at Buckingham Orchard. The townhomes are placed along a single street with a beautifully landscaped parkway and a 30-foot separation between the buildings. A professional landscape plan complements the mature wooded surroundings.

As a low maintenance community, all outdoor lawn care and snow shoveling is included with the affordable monthly association fee.

On the outside, the townhomes at Buckingham Orchard highlight numerous architectural details, including brick trim on the first floor, covered entryways with columns; decorative shutters and window openings with keystone accents that combine to present a classic and stylish appearance.

Luxury included interior features of the townhomes at Buckingham Orchard are 9' first floor ceilings (with volume ceilings in select rooms, per plan); beautiful ceramic tile or oak hardwood entry foyers; classic white painted Colonist six-panel doors and trim with premium hardware; decorator selected wall-to-wall carpeting and designer light fixtures. Decorative architectural niches are also found in select floor plans.

The kitchens feature custom wood cabinetry and a complete GE appliance package that includes under cabinet space saver microwave; a self-cleaning gas oven and range; built-in multicycle dishwasher and compartmented stainless steel sink with single lever faucet, vegetable sprayer and disposal.

The Radtkes have selected a fireplace in the family room and hardwood floors throughout much of the first floor, along with rough-in plumbing in the basement. Their experience with The Dearborn-Buckingham Group has been a positive one and they especially appreciated being able to tour the homes under construction at the community prior to the model being open.

"The overall value of the homes at Buckingham Orchard is great. Joanne and I are looking forward to using and enjoying our family room and kitchen areas when we move in. Living in a brand new home will also be a real pleasure," said Bill.

Buckingham Orchard is in Lombard, near old Route 53 and North Avenue. To visit, take I-355 to North Avenue east to Old Route 53, turn south approximately a half mile to Pleasant Lane, then west to the sales center. The sales center is open from noon to 5 p.m. Friday through Tuesday; closed Wednesday and Thursday. Call (630) 261-9404.