What happens when you already live in the perfect location, but have outgrown your current home? The solution for Connie and Jeff was easy; build a larger house. This plan was something the couple had been talking about for 15 years.
For over fifteen years the couple had loved living in the Research Triangle in the Raleigh-Durham area. Their longtime home was situated on a secluded wooded lot that had a great yard and provided both Connie and Jeff an easy commute to their nearby offices. With these things in mind, the couple couldn’t imagine moving to a new area and living in a subdivision.
In the Summer of 2021, things started to fall into place, making a new home possible. Knowing that they wanted to stay on their current property meant that the couple would have to make upgrades to accommodate a larger home. One of the first upgrades to prep the property was their septic system. During the installation, their septic installer recommended Schumacher Homes.
The search for a custom home builder was something the couple didn’t take lightly. “We wanted a high-quality house,” Connie remarked. “Some of the other custom builders in the area did not have the same quality that we found with Schumacher.”
A major selling point came when the pair talked to the mortgage banker about financing for their new home. Jeff said, “Schumacher was already on the bank’s approval list – which is apparently a big deal for that bank.” This meant it was a simple process to move forward and the couple wouldn’t have to go through a long process of getting their builder approved by the bank.
Why did you choose Schumacher Homes?
"We looked at several custom builders before deciding on Schumacher Homes…We liked what we learned about Schumacher Homes. My husband grew up in Ohio, and so it was also nice that Schumacher Homes is headquartered in Ohio."
Now with a builder decided on, one of the most important decisions still needed to be made, the floor plan. The dimensions of their current lot meant Connie and Jeff had a limited number of options, but they were determined to find the perfect one for their lifestyle. “We have a long lot, but quite narrow,” Connie said. “Only one part of the lot is wide enough to fit a house.” With this information in mind (and the desire to have 4 bedrooms), the Sheridan plan stood out.
Considering local ordinances, the Sheridan was a near-perfect fit. When factoring in setback regulations, the plan had 4 inches to spare from front to back and 1 foot to spare from side to side. The Sheridan provided them with a kitchen that faced the South – which meant lots of light. Not only did the Sheridan have 4 bedrooms, but it also was 2 stories and included an attached garage.
With the Sheridan being a literal perfect fit for their lot, it was time for Connie and Jeff to begin adding their customizations to make it their true dream home. At the top of the customization, list was a wood-burning fireplace in the great room and a back porch perfect for entertaining outdoors. Not only did they couple add features to the home to make it unique, but they also moved walls to have the space fit their needs. The second bedroom upstairs was merged with the Owner’s Retreat to create an additional sitting room/study. Now the Owner’s Retreat includes a large bedroom, bathroom, walk-in closet and a sitting room.
Adding this space provides a private space for the couple even if guests are visiting. When the time comes to sell in the future, Connie noted that “the sitting room could also be a nice nursery for future owners.”
Another large change made to the Sheridan layout was customizing the laundry room to make it optimized for the pair’s lifestyle. “We added a laundry tub, an outside door with a window and a door to the kitchen,” Connie mentioned. While these changes were minor, it made the laundry room bright with natural light, simplified outdoor access and reduced messes.
While the layout may be similar to their old home, Connie and Jeff can’t get over how much space they now have. “We finally have enough room!” Moving back into their home after living in an apartment temporarily is a great relief for the pair. Adding more formal spaces on the first floor has truly made a difference.
What is your favorite room in the new house? Why is that?
“It is a similar lay-out to the kitchen in our old house, but it is larger and has more cabinet space. Love the white-marbled quartz counter tops! Matches our marble table very well!”
Both agree that their new home fits all their needs and is a solid home that is unique to them and on their ideal lot. “Be patient and trust your builder,” Connie commented. Connie and Jeff agree that it’s great to be home again and couldn’t be happier with the result.
About Schumacher Homes
Schumacher Homes, based in Canton, Ohio, is America’s largest custom homebuilder, with operations in 25 locations in 12 states across the country. The National Housing Quality award winning company has built over 20,000 homes, customized to fit each family’s lifestyle, since its founding by Paul Schumacher in 1992. Schumacher Homes takes each customer’s inspiration and gives it a home. Each Schumacher Homes location includes a one-stop shopping design studio and model homes displaying the latest in architectural and product trends.