Talk of the Town - The Oaks April 11 2001
Golf subdivision offers wooded getaway, environmentally friendly homes
At first glance, the Oaks at Apalachee Farms may look like other upscale subdivisions. Its roomy homes are brick, and the interiors feature large arched windows, master baths and dressing rooms, double staircases, hardwood floors, gourmet kitchens and other modern amenities. And for the golf enthusiast, it has a course that winds through the subdivision. For a little more money, buyers can purchase a home with a golf course view.
The Oaks also boasts a gold standard amenity package. A kids' pool with a slide, a junior Olympic pool, nine tennis courts, a full-time tennis pro and an adult Jacuzzi are just some of what the Oaks' association offers.
The large homes and all-inclusive recreation package make the Oaks, some 20 miles outside the Perimeter, a perfect location for the telecommuter or the traveling businessperson who may not commute to downtown every day. Sales manager Jan Missner says the Oaks appeals to telecommuters because of the roomy homes that can easily accommodate a home office, as well as the lovely views and complete amenity package. Residents who do commute to the city, however, are pleased when they get home because of the wooded, away-from-it-all setting.
The spacious layout of Jo King's home was what immediately impressed her and her golfer husband, who moved in as one of the first residents of the Oaks.
"When we walked into the house, we both just said, 'Oh, my god, it's just what we wanted,'" she says. She loves the huge palladium window in the living room and the two-story double rock fireplace, situated between the living and keeping rooms. She also liked the elevation of the home, the color of the brick and the quality of the construction.
But what puts the Oaks in a special category is the availability of special construction called EarthCraft. EarthCraft homes are built according to guidelines that provide a healthier indoor environment, lower utility bills, more durability and less maintenance. Builders use products such as solar shade screens for windows and programmable thermostats and materials and appliances that cut down on waste and do not emit toxic fumes. Five model homes that were built according to the EarthCraft standards have all been sold. The bonus for the Oaks is that not only are the homes beautiful, they also are built to standards that are ecologically sound.??
