Naperville Sun, New Homes section

Couple is two-time winner at Stonebridge community

Bob and Susie Faut embrace change as their lifestyle evolves. The Aurora couple is currently building their second townhouse with Kensington Homes, in The Townes at Stonebridge.

Two sons are now getting married, and the Fauts are also building a primary residence in Tucson, Arizona.

"We originally moved to Kensington Homes' The Village at Stonebridge community from a 4,000- square-foot home overlooking a golf course in Naperville. After a few years in The Village, we started looking again for a new lifestyle community in Naperville. However, after an extensive search we found that Kensington Homes' The Townes at Stonebridge in Aurora stacks up against anything Naperville has to offer," said Bob Faut, 53, a former investment banker.

"Kensington Homes built our townhome in The Village, and we were very pleased. Similarly, The Townes at Stonebridge offers a more luxurious town-home than what you'd find most anywhere else. Stonebridge is a first class community."

The Townes at Stonebridge offers four floor plans ranging from 1,625 to 1,933 square feet. The two-story townhouses include two bedrooms plus a loft, 2.5 baths, 9-foot ceilings and two car garages. Third bedrooms and bonus rooms are available. Prices range from $230,000 to $300,000 including site premiums. Many of the sites feature park and pond locations.

Already familiar with Kensington Homes' reputation as a quality-driven single family, luxury townhouse and custom home builder, the Fauts decided to move from a 2,200-square-foot townhouse at The Village community to a three bedroom, 1,933-square-foot Arlington model townhouse at The Townes at Stonebridge.

Their eagerly awaited home will be ready for them in February 2002. With their sons marrying, they anticipate needing less space. Kensington Homes is able to accommodate their lifestyle change with an innovative home design and premier upscale location.

"We are also building a second home in Tucson, Arizona. When that is completed, we will only be in the Chicago area about three months out of the year," Faut said.

The couple found The Townes' biggest selling point is its location in the Stonebridge golf course community, Faut and his wife, a retired schoolteacher, are both avid golfers, along with their sons.

In addition, Kensington Homes' The Townes offers diverse rear elevation options. Double bay windows, look-out and walk-out basements with decks and pergolas maximize outdoor living. The couple was once again attracted to the first-floor master bedroom, hardwood flooring, and kitchen design. In addition, the separate dining room, great room and finished basement give them space for entertaining a large circle of friends.

The two bedrooms and Jack-and-Jill bathroom (a bathroom that is accessible from a bedroom on each side but not from the hallway) in the upper level provide private quarters for overnight guests. Kensington Homes' design flexibility and well thought-out features were important factors in the Fauts' buying decision on both purchases. They modified the fireplace location and converted a loft into a third bedroom to meet their lifestyle needs.

"We chose the Arlington model, and Kensington Homes has been amenable in making changes to accommodate our choice of customized options. The staff was very professional and easy to deal with," Faut said.

Every Kensington Home includes a one-year warranty and access to a 24-hour emergency service hotline. The company has committed to meeting closing dates.

"While catering to our specific buyers' needs, we try to be as creative and flexible as possible," said Cheryl Bonk, general sales manager for Kensington Homes. "Since many of the townhomes are at various stages in the building process, new buyers have the option to re-design rooms within the overall floor plan to fit lifestyle needs."

The Fauts also appreciate that Kensington Homes has enhanced the location and topography of The Townes at Stonebridge with stately brick entry monuments, cozy old-world streetlights, mature 14-foot pine trees, berms and appropriate foliage throughout.

"It's not the typical one or two 1-inch trees you see at many townhome," Faut said. "It gives you an excellent feeling of security, and when people come to visit, they will see we live in a home with curb appeal."

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