Two generations give builder's communities high marks

After 14 years in Justice, Joseph and Gladys Amerio had and empty-nest and decided single-level living would better fit their lifestyle. Their daughter, Vicki Esposito, who lives in Orland Park, spotted a new community not far from her house and decided to do some investigating for mom and dad.

"Vicki saw the signs for Kingston Hills and went into the sales office asking if they had any ranch plans," Gladys said. "Our two-story home in Justice had ten steps going up-and-down and we just didn't want to climb stairs anymore and my daughter is my best friend so being closer to her and three of my five grandchildren was ideal."

Located on 151st Street just west of LaGrange Road, Kingston Hills is a Gallagher and Henry community of semi-custom single-family homes and townhomes. Minutes from Interstates 80 and I-55, Kingston Hills benefits from the recently opened Homer Glen exit on the completed I-355 extension. Two Metra Stations are also within minutes of the community as are restaurants, shopping, medical centers and other conveniences. Several Orland Park shopping centers are within 10 minutes of Kingston Hills. Children attend schools in District 33C and District 205.

"We loved the big great room in the Arlington and the fact that it didn't have a living room since we never used our living room in our other house," Gladys said. "The great room has a big fireplace and the overall plan is very spacious with three bedrooms and two full baths as well as a full basement. And there's no more climbing 10 steps at a time."

Highlights of the Arlington include a covered front porch; three bedrooms and two full baths; formal dining room; island kitchen with breakfast room; great room; master bedroom suite with tray ceiling, walk-in closet and luxury bath with soaking tub and separate shower; two secondary bedrooms with access to the full hall bath; laundry room; full basement; and two-car garage.

"Joe and I also really like the neighbors and the neighborhood," Gladys said. "We didn't want to live in a retirement community and enjoy having young people around us. We're in our 60s but the majority of our neighbors are nice young families who like the schools and the convenience offered at Kingston Hills."

In addition to the Arlington, buyers may select from an impressive collection of ranch and two-story home designs ranging from 2,000 to over 3,400 square feet in size and priced from the $390,000s. Additionally, seven maintenance-free townhomes remain at Kingston Hills with prices starting from the $270,000s.

"We were so pleased with our Gallagher and Henry home building experience, when our nephew Mark told us he was considering buying a home at Gallagher and Henry's Goodings Grove community we just couldn't day enough good things and encouraged to move forward," Gladys said. "We tell everybody how satisfied we are with Gallagher and Henry and on a scale of one to 10; we'd give them a 10!"

Mark Amerio and then fiancé Michell, in addition to planning a wedding 2½ years ago, decided to look for their first home.

"I grew up in Bridgeview and Michell is from New York so we wanted to get a large home in a convenient area and stumbled on Goodings Grove one day before the lots were even released," Mark said. "We liked the overall design of the Harvard -- the angles, columns, large master bedroom and private bathroom, the bay windows -- it wasn't a big box like many of the homes we'd seen."

Also in Homer Glen, Goodings Grove includes over 40 acres of open space with a neighborhood park and the walking/biking trails that meander throughout. Children attend schools in District 33C, including Goodings Grove Elementary School, and High School District 205.

Highlights of the two-story Harvard design include four bedrooms; 2½ baths; soaring two-story foyer; living room with bay window and accented by decorative columns; study with French doors; formal dining room with bay window and decorative columns; island kitchen open to the breakfast room with bay window; family room; master bedroom suite with tray ceiling and bay window, his-and-hers walk-in closets and private luxury bath with whirlpool tub and separate shower; three secondary bedrooms served by a full hall bath; full basement; and two-car garage.

"We were pretty sold on the Harvard design and Goodings Grove when we realized my aunt and uncle lived in a Gallagher and Henry home in Kingston Hills," Mark said. "When I called them they only had great things to say about their home, community and their Gallagher and Henry building experience. That just reaffirmed to us that Goodings Grove was the way to go."

Both ranch and two-story designs are offered at Goodings Grove and homes range from 2,000 to 3,463 square feet with three to five bedrooms; two to 3½ baths; gourmet kitchens; family rooms with available masonry built fireplaces; full basements; and two- to three-car garages. Currently homes are introductory priced from $377,500 to $560,800. These introductory prices will be coming to an end with the Phase III grand opening fast approaching. Gallagher and Henry