Builder chooses Lanco to construct his family's custom home at Turnberry

MCHENRY COUNTY, IL - April 10, 2006 - The old clich'e, "it takes one to know one" would make an appropriate theme for Jim Stuckmann's custom homebuilding experience.

This commercial and residential developer chose Lanco Development Company to build a custom home in The Highlands of Turnberry, a golf course community in the Village of Lakewood near Crystal Lake.

"I was too busy to handle the project myself and I wanted a builder who would do the job just the way I would," Jim said.

Stuckmann met Curt Langille, president of Lanco, when the two builders were involved in activities at the Home Builders Association of Greater Chicago and McHenry County.

"My wife Katie and I owned this beautiful wooded homesite, and we had spent a year getting plans drawn for a new home," Jim said. "I was going to build the home myself but I kept procrastinating about obtaining the building permit because I was so busy. Finally I began to see that if the home was going to be built, I better get someone else to do the job. I was always attracted to the designs of Lanco homes and the high quality of the materials and construction. There are only two builders that I would choose to build a home for my family, and Lanco was the logical choice because the company is so active in Turnberry and the McHenry County area. Now that the home is complete, Katie and I are more convinced than ever that we made the right choice."

The Stuckmanns built a two-story home of approximately 4,736 square feet with a stone and brick exterior, four bedrooms and a den, three baths, finished basement, four-car garage and a variety of special features ideal for soon-to-become empty-nesters. Daughter Christie is a senior in high school, and Jim Jr. has joined his dad's Cary-based company, O & S Development, and handles property management.

"Our Turnberry home is the fourth home we've owned over the years, including two that my company built," Jim said. "This home includes many features that we have been wanting, such as a finished basement with a home theater, exercise room and full bath with a steam shower. The theater has a 92-inch diagonal screen, stadium seating and surround sound, so it is a great place to relax and enjoy our favorite movies."

The Stuckmann home is in a 1.3-acre wooded site that overlooks an expansive conservation area.

"One of our favorite places is our four-seasons room with windows on three sides, a fireplace and panoramic views of open space," Jim said. "It is not unusual to see deer wandering through, and when the weather gets warmer, we can enjoy the scenery from the deck outside the four-seasons room."

Another highlight is the kitchen, a joint effort between the Stuckmanns, Lanco and the custom cabinet company.

"The kitchen has all of the items that are so popular these days, beautiful cabinets, granite countertops, a commercial range, Sub-Zero refrigerator and warming drawers," Jim said. "The room really turned out to be impressive-looking as well as practical. And, the master bedroom was another important focus, with a very large walk-in closet and a luxury bath that has a walk-in shower with a rainforest spray, whirlpool tub and heated floor."

The Stuckmanns are not only delighted with their home but also with their homebuilding experience.

"The Lanco staff is great, and the whole process went more smoothly than I expected," Jim said. "Everyone on the Lanco team was very helpful in assisting us with coordinating the many choices involved in building a custom home, and the construction staff was very attentive to our needs. They exceeded my expectations and built my home the way I would have done it myself."

Lanco Development Company is currently offering a few prime opportunities in The Woods of Turnberry, the last neighborhood to be developed in the picturesque master-planned golf course community. Two homesites remain, ranging in size from one to two acres. The sites overlook the golf course and offer English basements. Prices range from $200,000 to $285,000, and buyers of these sites who also wish to purchase a Lanco built-to-suit home will receive a $10,000 discount on the price of the homesite. Lanco offers more than 50 ranch and two-story floor plans starting at 2,800 square feet.

In addition, the 4,667-square-foot Touchstone model, the winner of numerous architectural awards, is offered for $950,000. The Touchstone features four bedrooms including a first-floor master suite, 4 1/2 baths, spacious English basement and three-car side loading garage. The home is being sold with its furnishings including designer furniture, fine dishes and glassware and many other items.

The Woods of Turnberry is a short distance from the Turnberry Country Club with its 25,000-square-foot French Normandy clubhouse, Olympic-sized pool, wading pool, sun decks and tennis courts. A variety of memberships are available including golf, swim/tennis and social/dining. Turnberry also features a second public golf course, 400 acres of open space, 80 acres of conservancy land, numerous spring-fed lakes and the Kishwaukee Fen nature preserve.

Sales for Lanco communities are handled from the Touchstone model in The Woods of Turnberry. Turnberry is located off Lakewood Road north of Ackman Road in Lakewood. To visit take Randall Road two miles north of Algonquin Road (Route 62) to Ackman Road, west two miles to Lakewood Road, turn north and proceed to Turnberry Trail, turn right and follow Turnberry Trail to Bard Road, turn left to the Woods of Turnberry entrance at Bannockburn Circle. Call (815) 477-7200 for more information or visit lancodevelopment.com.