 Consumers to Get the “Pointe” About Homebuying SCHAUMBURG, IL, November 2 – It’s a buyer’s market, but Kelly Thompson feels uncertain about whether she should actually take the plunge into buying a home. The 40-year-old Chicago-area computer programmer knows that housing stocks are unusually high and interest rates are historically low. Yet, she wonders, could she really qualify for an affordable mortgage? Would it be enough to finance the new home that’s always been her dream? And what about her existing home—would she be able to sell it? Her questions and concerns are the same ones holding back a lot of potential homebuyers in this sluggish real estate economy. Kenar Homes thinks is has the beginnings of a solution to the problem. The Schaumburg-based builder announced today that’s it’s teaming up with preferred lender Wells Fargo and leading realtor ReMax Unlimited Northwest for a buyer information program at Ashton Pointe, a community of townhomes and single-family homes in Crystal Lake. The immediate purpose? Helping people find and understand the great buying power that’s hidden in today’s real estate economy. “At Ashton Pointe, we often see people come in who aren’t sure what a monthly payment may entail or what they can afford. By offering this program, we can give homebuyers the opportunity to talk with a lender and a realtor in a casual, no-pressure environment about owning at Ashton Pointe. We can answer their questions about qualifying for a home loan—or even give them creative strategies for selling their current home without lowering the asking price too much. What people learn will open up their eyes to all the possibilities of buying and owning something new,” said Laura Johnson, Director of Sales and Marketing for Kenar. What people see at Ashton Pointe will also open up their eyes. The community offers luxurious homes consisting of open, light-infused layouts with formal living and dining rooms and large two, three, or optional four bedrooms. There are four different single and two-story townhome models, ranging in size from 1,835 to 2,012 square feet, and priced in the mid $200’s. They all feature either a lookout or walkout basement, two-car garage, nine-foot or volume ceilings on the first floor, central air conditioning, oak railings, and ceramic flooring in the foyer and bathrooms. The popular Berkley model displays a stunningly open layout, with a direct line of sight that extends from the foyer, through the living room, and into the formal dining room. The townhomes have really connected with the public. “We’ve sold more than 60 percent of them, with most of the buyers moving up from older townhomes or downsizing from single-family homes,” said Johnson. The single-family homes come in four different two-story models, ranging in size from 2,364 to 3,099 square feet, and priced from $358,490 to $393,490. All models list as standard features a full basement and a first floor with nine-foot ceilings, two-car garage, oak railings with wider stairs, central air conditioning, ceramic flooring in foyer and baths, and oversized soaker tub and double-bowl vanity in the master bathroom. While buyer demographics for the single-family homes have varied more than they have with the townhomes, “they’ve included a lot of local families who want to stay in the area for its first-rate schools and other advantages,” said Johnson. The area also includes several other advantages, beginning with Crystal Lake itself. The long established McHenry County town offers both the charming small town ambiance and the convenience to Chicago that many homebuyers are looking for. In addition to the big, sparkling body of water for which it’s named, Crystal Lake boasts acres and acres of beautiful forests and parkland—with all the recreational possibilities that go along with them. The country town also proves to be a suburban retail paradise, especially along Route 14 between Route 31 and Dole Avenue, where shops and restaurants both abound. “While being pleasantly rural, Crystal Lake doesn’t seem to lack for anything, including rich cultural institutions and good schools,” said Johnson. For access to Chicago’s plethora of cultural, educational, and employment opportunities, residents are literally just steps away from the Metra commuter rail station on Pingree Road and Congress Parkway. The trains run everyday and can take riders to Chicago’s Loop—50 miles away—in a little more than an hour. “To people who say ‘you can’t have it all,’ I point to Ashton and show them otherwise,” said Johnson. Would Kelly Thompson be interested in buying at Ashton Pointe? Sounding intrigued by the idea, she promises to visit the community to talk with Kenar, Wells Fargo, and ReMax about how she could swing a purchase. “It’s comforting to know that all those experts are on hand to help people out with information and even advice,” said Thompson. To visit the single-family homes and townhomes at Ashton Pointe, take I-90 west to Route 31, north to Northwest Highway (Route 14), west to Pingree Road, north to Valerie Road, and west to the sales center. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. For more information, call (815) 477-4939 or visit online at www.kenarhomes.com ### *Prices and standard features subject to change. For updated information, please contact D&B Marketing at 630.782.8125 or mamedeo@thinkdandb.com
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