Neighborhood of the Week: Orchard Lands

You've seen it. That neighborhood north of I-90 between Coeur d'Alene and Post Falls that sat empty for years, teasing folks as they flew past on the interstate, heading west. It was in a prime location. The streets and lots were nicely maintained, the utilities were in - there just weren't any houses.

Until now.

Orchard Lands was originally conceived in 2005, but development stopped with the downturn in the economy. The developer maintained the property until 2013, when Copper Basin Construction recognized the value in the location, convinced the developer to sell the property, and began building homes.

"The developer had confidence that Copper Basin would carry on a good name," said Darren Ducote, a Realtor at Coldwell Banker Schneidmiller Realty and Copper Basin's salesperson for Orchard Lands. He has been a Realtor since 2002.

The first house, the model home, was completed in August of 2013 and won the Parade of Homes People's Choice award, which was a great honor. And business is booming.

"We've been super busy," Ducote said. "We're selling at the pace we anticipated."

There are 75 lots in the development, ranging in size from 7,000-11,000 square feet. They've recently sold two spec homes, with more under construction.

You can't beat the location. Orchard Lands is close to the Coeur d'Alene Public Golf Course and the Kroc Center, with easy access to the medical facilities on Ironwood and the amenities in Riverstone. Or cruise downtown on the Atlas Bike Trail, which connects to the extensive trail system that crosses the area. And with the Centennial Trail down the street, you can head west into Washington or east along the lake.

Even though the real estate market is recovering, there aren't too many new neighborhoods in Coeur d'Alene, Ducote said. "If you want a Copper Basin home with the features that they offer and want to be in Coeur d'Alene, this is the place to buy."

Families are moving into the neighborhood that want a long-term residence option: a home where they can both raise their children and retire. With the wide range of options that Copper Basin offers, that's a tangible reality.

There's a little bit of everything in Orchard Lands. Master suites are on the main floor. There are 9-foot ceilings, with vaulted ceilings in the ranchers. Copper Basin favors the great room concept, with an open living room and kitchen. The laundry room is located close to the bedrooms, whether that's on the first or second floor. There are Jack and Jill bathrooms between the guest rooms, which are larger than one would expect.

When you stop by the model home and walk into the backyard, you'll find a 480-square-foot one-bedroom guest house complete with its own meter, address, and utilities. Deed restrictions require that the owner lives in one of the homes, but the other can be rented (six month minimum lease). It's a great option for aging parents, kids that aren't quite ready to leave the nest, or bringing in a little extra income.

Floor plans are customizable, depending on the buyer's needs. Homes can be built on crawl spaces, slabs or basements. Want an RV garage? Done. Detached shop? It's yours. The exteriors feature HardiePlank siding and multiple texture options such as shaker, masonry, and board and batten. Front yards are landscaped, with automatic sprinklers.

Copper Basin offers a wide range of floor plans from 1,200 to 4,000 square feet. Prices start at $167,900. City services are provided, for peace of mind, and the city maintains the streets.

HOA fees are $25/month, which cover maintenance of the common areas. "They have a healthy HOA," Ducote said. In fact, the HOA maintains the portion of the Atlas Bike Trail that runs next to the development, keeping it free of snow in the winter.

Copper Basin will once again participate in the Parade of Homes this year, with entries in both Tullamore and Orchard Lands.

If you're interested in seeing one of these houses, there are a couple of spec homes available, although they're under contract. You do have the option of visiting spec homes in other Copper Basin neighborhoods, just to get an idea of what they can build for you in Orchard Lands. "We're experiencing the overflow from other Copper Basin neighborhoods," Ducote said. "We always have multiple spec homes in progress."

So, if you want to be a part of this long-awaited neighborhood and take advantage of owning a new home minutes away from downtown Coeur d'Alene, stop in and see what Orchard Lands, and Copper Basin Construction, have to offer.

"It really is happening."

For more information, contact Darren Ducote at (208) 964-9090.