Plainfield Family Is Grateful To Have Shopped Around

Every time they go downstairs to the basement, Jim and DianePikowski, among the first-move-ins at Ashbury Farms, a development ofsouthwest suburban Plainfield, are downright glad they shoppedaround.

"Most builders wanted to charge us $8,000 to $12,000 for abasement, and they couldn't even offer us a homesite as large as wehave now unless we gave them even more hard-earned money," said Jim.

"We liked the idea we were getting a lot of home for lessmoney," said Diane, whose new home includes a full-sized basement ona 1/3-acre lot. "We viewed homes where every home looked alike andwere not impressed. Our new home blends well with our neighbors',but it's distinctive enough to reflect our own taste."

Jim and Diane, along with their children, Matthew and Sara, aresettling in their 2-story home. They bought the 2,117-square footKingston plan, with 4 bedrooms and 2 1/2 baths. The 15-by-13-footmaster bedroom suite has a walk-in closet, and the master bath has aseparate shower, dual-bowl vanity and enclosed water closet. TheKingston is priced at $171,900.

Seven plans, with 1,623 to 2,419 square feet of space, arebase-priced from $154,900 to $189,000.

Two furnished models are open. Ashbury Farms, at Renrick Road and U.S. 30, 1 1/2 miles south ofIllinois 126, Plainfield; D. R. Horton Homes, (815) 436-7710; .

Go West, young folks. WestRidge, a sprawling development innorthwest suburban Bartlett, has two parcels of land that have beenset aside for parks and recreation, along with space allocated for anelementary school.

"A commercial area is planned, as well, to provide convenientneighborhood services," said Tony Albachiara, sales manager forHoffman Estates-based Centex Homes, the builder. Centex plans 643single-family homes over the 244-acre site.

Three models are ready for inspection. Base prices range from$178,000 to $207,000. Homes are sized from 2,080 to 2,680 squarefeet. Houses have 4 or 5 bedrooms and 2 1/2 baths.

Amenities include kitchen pantries, first-floor laundry roomsand attached, 2-car garages.

Options include basements, central air conditioning, fireplaces,whirlpools, skylights and 3-car garages. WestRidge, on West Bartlett Road, 2 1/2 miles west of Illinois 59,Bartlett; Centex Homes, (708) 622-1080; .

Tie a yellow ribbon. Full-sized basements - allowing livingareas to be expanded by 600 to 700 square feet - are standard atOakview, a town house development in west suburban Aurora.

Eire Construction, the builder, plans 24 units; half have beensold. Two plans are sized at 1,370 to 1,480 square feet. Baseprices are $117,900 and $120,900. The 2-story units have 2 or 3bedrooms and 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 baths.

Amenities include brick exteriors, breakfast areas with baywindows, master bedroom suites, finished garages, dishwashers andlandscaping. One plan features a loft and a great room with a2-story volume ceiling.

Options include central air conditioning, wood decks,fireplaces, skylights and whirlpools.

Two models are open. Oakview, at the intersection of Frontenac Street and Cerena Court,just north of Ogden Avenue and west of Illinois 59, Aurora; EireConstruction, (708) 851-4533; .

Bill Cunniff is a Chicago Sun-Times editorial assistant. Priceswere provided by the builder, and may change.