Neighborhood of the Week: Corbin Crossing

Small-town lifestyle. Panoramic views. Minutes from shopping and services. High-quality schools. Family-oriented community. Close to everything. When you hear these qualities, what's the first place that comes to mind?

It should be Rathdrum.

Surprised? You shouldn't be. If you're looking for the perfect blend of convenience and small-town life, this is it. Rathdrum has everything you need, right at your doorstep.

And if you're considering living in Rathdrum, you should look at Corbin Crossing.

Corbin Crossing is one of Rathdrum's hottest new neighborhoods. Located on the border of Post Falls and Rathdrum, it's truly close to everything. You're three miles from Prairie Avenue. Silverwood is a mere 15 minutes away. In 20 minutes, you can be at the Valley Mall, or Kootenai Medical Center. Looking a little further afield, it's only 90 minutes to five major ski areas and 45 minutes to Spokane Airport.

"Contrary to what folks think, it's not way out there any more," said Rich Dussell, Realtor with Windermere Coeur d'Alene Realty. "Starbucks is only a few minutes away. Highway 53 is one mile down the road. Unless you have a bird's eye view, you don't realize how close you are to everything."

There's a special magic in living out on the prairie. Surrounded by sweeping vistas, you have plenty of room to spread out, and plenty of time to sit back and enjoy the beauty around you.

"There are beautiful views of the prairie and Rathdrum Mountain," said Melissa Garland, Realtor with Windermere Coeur d'Alene Realty.

Tony Benway of Benway Quality Homes is the builder in Corbin Crossing, offering the best new homes money can buy. The model home opened during the Parade of Homes in the summer of 2013.

Benway Homes puts craftsmanship and quality into all of their homes. They are the only builder in the county installing passive radon systems as a standard feature. Considering North Idaho's history with radon gas, that's a huge bonus.

"It's both a selling point and a safety issue," Dussell said. "You don't have to worry about it while you're living here, or down the road. We're thinking of our clients."

They offer a number of other standard features that are often upgrades for other builders. Ceilings soar to 9 feet, and the upgraded trim package lends an additional touch of elegance. They've also replaced the traditional vinyl siding with wood, again adding to the upscale feel of these homes.

"We're trying something different here from what we normally do," Benway said.

"Tony is a great builder," Garland said. He's one of the few builders in the area willing to customize any of his house plans - or build to a plan that the buyer provides.

"People build because they want to personalize their house," Garland said. Benway Homes has an in-house draftsman who can do that customization work and help buyers create the home of their dreams.

Benway has been in business for 20 years, working as a subcontractor before starting his own business as a general contractor in 1999, and is accredited by the Better Business Bureau.

"Tony has a lot of hands-on time in these homes," said Josie Krahn, Realtor with Windermere Coeur d'Alene Realty. "He even frames them, when he has the time."

There's a combination of young and old moving into Corbin Crossing; it truly is a family-oriented neighborhood.

"It's a young community," Dussell said, "comprised of first-time home owners, although there are a couple of retired folks building here, too."

One of the highlights of Corbin Crossing is Majestic Park, a city park perched on the edge of the neighborhood that features two baseball diamonds, play equipment, and a splash pad.

13 of the 31 lots in Phase 1 have already been sold. "We are way exceeding expectations of selling," Benway said. They will begin Phase 2 this summer; with 100 acres in the development, they're looking at 15 years' worth of building. The second phase will be a mix of different-sized lots.

Prices for a lot and home start at $135,000; prices for the bigger lots in Phase 2 will be higher. There are no HOA fees.

Benway Homes qualify for zero down USDA home loans, so payments are comparable to or less than renting.

"Tony builds great homes price-wise," Garland said.

So if you're looking for a place to call home, make the short drive to Rathdrum and check out Corbin Crossing. You'll be pleasantly surprised.

"It always takes time for something to get going and recognized. It's a hidden treasure," Krahn said. "A secret not everybody knows about."

"Once you move up here, you'll ask yourself, why didn't I do this sooner?"

For more information, contact Josie Krahn, Rich Dussell or Mellinda Garland at Windermere Coeur d'Alene Realty, (208) 664-9221.