The Story

Finding Our New Home

We looked at the floorplans of these houses last year before the models were built. After looking at model homes for most of the last 10 years we could tell that these were houses we would like to look at in more detail. When the models were done, we went back to check them out. We thought that at last, one builder was starting to build homes closer to what we have been looking for. We discovered that we actually liked 2 of the houses. The middle plan was very nice. We loved the set back garage with the bonus room over it. We thought it had the most curb appeal of the group. The drawback was that it didn't have a dining room. The large plan had a ton of options including one to build a loft over the family room and a 3 car garage. The only real drawback we saw to that one was the high ceiling in the living room. We are tired of losing all of our heat into a vaulted ceiling but this one is a little lower than a vaulted ceiling. Plus, this model has zoned temperature control. Now we won't freeze downstairs and swealter upstairs!

Click on Image for Country Lane Website

We went to these homes a few times because there were a lot of other homes being built in the area and we kept comparing them to these. We actually found some that we may have liked better in the same area, but they were much more expensive. We talked to the staff at the models several times and discovered that John Laing is actually a very prominent builder in other parts of the country. With these homes we would be able to get more house for our money.

Click on Image for John Laing Homes Website

So, after debating which of these homes we wanted to buy, it came down to this. If we planned on moving in a couple of years, we should buy the middle house. It would be smaller and cost less. We would be a little bit cramped while we lived in it, but it has better curb appeal and would be really easy to fix up to look nice to re-sell.

On the other hand, we only planned on living in our current house for 3 to 5 years and have been here almost 12. So we decided to get the bigger house with the intent of just staying there until we either decide to build our own, or we just get too old and decrepit to climb the stairs.

When it came time to choose a house and a lot, the price difference between the middle house and the large house was less than $2000, due to the various options and lot premiums (or lack thereof). This made our decision much easier! We are very happy with our choice of Lot #7 with the Strawberry Fields model (the big one!).

We've already met some of our future neighbors. One them has a daughter who was in Emma's preschool class last year. So we already know more people in our new neighborhood than we do in our old one.

9509 Baypoint Way Elk Grove, CA 95624

Exterior Elevation:	Artist's Drawing

We really liked the exterior elevation of this house. It is called French Country but looks like Tudor to us. Anyway, we like it and this is the one we wanted. The front door matches the shutters.

Here is the plot plan of our lot. It's pretty small but it won't be hard to mow the yard!