Perfect Home and Clubhouse Lifestyle at Lakewood Prairie...

Talking to Janice Livingston about the beautiful new home she and her husband Timiko purchased at Lakewood Prairie in Joliet gives you an idea of how pleased she is with the decision to move to this community. The couple was no stranger to Lakewood Homes, having lived at Lakewood Falls in Romeoville for six years. When the time came to move up to a larger home, Lakewood was the obvious choice and Lakewood Prairie had exactly what this couple was hoping to find. Lakewood Prairie is a signature Lakewood Homes clubhouse community that features 551 single-family homes priced from the low $230s and 214 attached style Country Homes, starting in the mid $170s. Fully decorated and furnished models are open for tours everyday.

“We really liked our home at Lakewood Falls, but as my home daycare business had grown, Timiko and I realized that we would have to find a home that would have larger rooms to accommodate our needs. We wanted to remain in the southwest suburbsand Lakewood Prairie had what we wanted, that is, lots of home for the money and a convenient location. Since we already owned a Lakewood Home, we knew the company and felt comfortable with them and their excellent reputation,” Janice said.

Lakewood Prairie has proven to be an extremely popular community, in part because it offers homebuyers 11 different single-family floor plans to choose from that range in size from over 1,600 up to approximately 4,000 square feet. There are four Classic Series homes, priced from the low $230s, with two-story layouts that include three to four bedrooms, 2-1/2 baths, luxury master suites with walk-in closets and private baths, basements and attached two-car garages. There are also seven spacious Executive Series homes at Lakewood Prairie, starting in the $260s.

These large and flexible plans are perfect move-up homes for buyers like the Livingstons who are looking for a larger home for a growing family or that have a related living situation. The Executive Series are two-story plans with up to six bedrooms, up to four baths, luxury master bedroom suites with private baths and one or more walk-in closets, dens, second floor family rooms (per plan), basements and two or three-car attached garages. There are six beautifully decorated and fully furnished models from both Series open for tours everyday at Lakewood Prairie.

It was the larger Executive Series and in particular, the premium Heritage Series plans (which make up the four largest Executive Series homes) that piqued the Livingston’s interest. Janice and Timiko were torn between the Newcastle andProvidence floor plans at Lakewood Prairie and finally decided on the spacious Providence, which they moved into in September. The Providence measures a comfortable 3,573 square feet, with four bedrooms, 2-1/2 baths, first and second floor family rooms, a large basement and a three-car garage as standard. Highlights include an open kitchen, breakfast area and family room at the rear of the first floor (which is one of Janice’s favorite features), a den, a sumptuous master suite with a separate sitting room, his and hers walk-in closets and a private bath with dual bowl vanities.

“What we liked about the Providence was the incredible space in the family room and kitchen area, which is perfect for entertaining and the location of the living room that gives it a more private feel. This plan also had the bigger room sizes we were seeking along with a large basement, where we have our pool table and rec room furnishings, along with our exercise equipment,” said Janice.

The Livingston’s new home indeed has all the space they could ask for. Their 18-year-old son Marquez uses his bedroom and the second floor family room as his private areas, while Jennifer, the couple’s 23-year-old daughter, has room to spare upstairs as well. The fourth bedroom is used as a guest room.

“We have hardwood floors in the living room, hallways and kitchen, along with dark cherry cabinets. We also love the whole house audio system we selected, which pipes music to every room. Timiko and I are planning on putting in a morning bar and loveseat in the master bedroom sitting area, to create a cozy and private space,” Janice said. The Livingstons also have a fireplace in their first floor family room, ceramic tile flooring in the baths and a soaking tub in the master bath. Their home features an elegant brick front and is located a short walk from the community clubhouse.

“The clubhouse is fantastic. In the short time we have lived here, I’ve already used it three times, for a family reunion, a going away party and a picnic,” said Janice. The private resident clubhouse at Lakewood Prairie has an outdoor pool with sundeck along with a toddler pool, tennis and sand volleyball courts. The clubhouse’s furnished great room where Janice has entertained includes a big screen television, fireplace and kitchen. The clubhouse and its recreational amenities are available to all residents who live at the community.

The couple’s second home purchase experience with Lakewood was as good as their first, with their home being delivered on time. “We’re very pleased with our new home and Lakewood has continued to provide us with great service since we moved in,” Janice said. So with a larger home that fits her daycare needs, a friendly neighborhood atmosphere and value that can’t be beat, Timiko and Janice Livingston are very satisfied Lakewood repeat buyers.

“Everyone in our family likes everything about our new home. The size is wonderful and we plan on staying at Lakewood Prairie for a long time. We wouldn’t trade our home for anything,” said Janice.

Lakewood also offers its unique Country Home Series at Lakewood Prairie. Country Homes are attached single-family designs with the look and feel of a traditionalsingle-family home. The Country Homes range in size from 1,250 to nearly 1,900 square feet, with prices starting in the mid $170s. These homes offer the benefits of single-family living with private yards, two-car attached garages and optional basements, along with the affordability and convenience of townhome living.

Lakewood Prairie is located on Ridge Road, one mile south of Caton Farm Road in Joliet. To visit, take Route 59 to Caton Farm Road west four miles to Ridge Road, one mile south to the community on the left. The sales center is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. or by appointment.

For more information, call (815) 439-5777 or visit www.lakewoodhomes.com.