Michelle Krueger

Times Correspondent

Since introducing their newly retooled collection of Single Family homes, Olthof Homes has received an unbelievable response from buyers.

"It's astonishing really," Carmen Ware, Olthof Homes sales manager, said. "When you consider that our goal at Grouse Pointe was 14 new contracts for the entire 2008 year, the fact that we've written 23 new contracts since the new home series introduction in March is truly amazing."

As a result, there are just 22 homesites remaining, and Grouse Pointe has reached the grand closeout stage well ahead of schedule. Ware contributes the recent spike in sales to a combination of attractive pre-construction pricing starting at $170,400, low St. John Township taxes and the outstanding record of Lake Central schools. Grouse Pointe students attend nearby Kolling Elementary School and the brand new Clark Middle School, which is just down the street on west 93rd.

Located on Blaine St. east of Cline Ave., Grouse Pointe is dramatically separated from the conveniences of modern life by a 15-acre nature preserve so it's easy to forget that you are just minutes away from some of the area's most traveled interchanges, US Route 41 and IL 394. You can reach Kolling and Lake Central High School with equal ease on Route 41, take the back roads past White Hawk Country Club to Crown Point's historical downtown square and travel just a short distance down 93rd to reach Merrillville. Either way, you'll find a tremendous variety of retail, dining and professional service offerings.

With plans for a total of 101 single-family homes, Grouse Pointe features a calming pond accented by a striking fountain as well as a spacious park and well-equipped playground area, where many residents have become fast friends and plan grand social events for all to enjoy.

"We've always had a really great response to the fact that this development in particular offers such a convenient location, while still providing residents with the secluded neighborhood ambience they desire," Ware said.

"What we've done with the new home series quite frankly is get into a price point where we can compete with existing homes very favorably. Our buyers obviously love the fact that they can now buy a brand new home at the same price as an existing home, and our Realtor participation has increased dramatically. Local Realtors have told me they are very excited that their clients can get such a great value, as well as the benefits of a fantastic warranty program backed by our staffed Customer Care department."

Featuring generous home sites that average 80' x 150', with a limited selection of premium locations that include larger cul-de-sac and corner sites, park and pond lots, plus a few opportunities to add lookout basements, Grouse Pointe can still accommodate a vast range of buyers.

While Olthof's signature open-design concept continues to dominate the company's new Single Family home plans, which include two ranch and four 2-story options, they now feature plenty of highly desirable flex space that can be used for home offices or children's game rooms. The exteriors have been updated with the latest design elements in combinations that range from simple and understated to grand and elaborate offering fresh new looks for every preference. During the process of designing their new plans, Olthof also discovered new ways to enhance the appeal of their homes by further improving the engineering of the products that go into them, according to Ware.

"We've found that our buyers in Grouse Pointe, especially those that have been looking in the Lake Central School district, really appreciate the fact that Olthof's new collection of Single Family homes includes two options for up to 5 bedrooms, four plans that include 2 ? baths and the option to build 3-car garages on all of the plans," she said. "The flexibility of these new plans is definitely proving to be their strength. There's also a ranch plan that's equally well-suited for 1st time buyers and those looking to lessen their homeownership responsibilities without foregoing their independence."

As with all Olthof Homes, the list of standard features for Grouse Pointe's single-family homes is extensive. For buyers who desire additional options and upgrades, they have the opportunity to visit Olthof Home's Design Center, located on US 41 across from Lake Central High School.

"Our state-of-the-art Design Center features full displays of the many options available to enhance your new home," Ware said "Along with the benefit of having our expert in-house design staff on hand to assist you through the selection process, it really helps to see what all of the options look like side-by-side."

Since 1961 Olthof Homes has built thousands of homes in communities throughout northeast Illinois and northwest Indiana. Their hallmark is designing a wide selection of homes in ideal locations with unique settings, appealing exteriors and open floor plans. These strengths have made them a leader in the local home building market.

For more information about Grouse Pointe, visit the sales center which is open today and every Saturday from 10am-5pm, Tuesday-Thursday from 11am-6pm and Friday 11am-5pm. You can also call sales manager Carmen Ware, at (219) 365-1395 or log on to the Olthof Homes website at www.olthofhomes.com.