Neighborhood of the week: Stone Creek

It's super-quiet.

That's the first thing you notice when you walk the streets of Stone Creek in Hayden - the quiet.

"It's tucked back in the trees for privacy," said Scott Smith of Coldwell Banker Schneidmiller Realty, representing Rosenberger Construction in Stone Creek. It's off the beaten path; if you're in this neighborhood, it's because you want to be here, so there's very little traffic.

Stone Creek is what people from out of town picture when they think of North Idaho, with its unique mix of high quality lodge-style homes surrounded by mountains, natural rimrock and forests. "This neighborhood makes you feel like you're really in North Idaho," said Scott Carr, also of Coldwell Banker, representing Aspen Homes in Stone Creek.

"There's lots of wildlife wandering through the neighborhood," he continued. "It's a good place to walk, too. Lots of neighbors walk the streets."

Hayden's newest neighborhood features a beautiful 2.6 acre central park with a covered timber frame pavilion, horseshoe pits and barbecue grills. It's minutes from lakes, golf courses and schools, as well as public access to Hayden Lake.

Stone Creek is an extension of The Rocking R, which is an established neighborhood - with established prices. Thus, home values in Stone Creek are protected.

There are 79 lots in Stone Creek; the first of three phases has just opened, offering 40 oversized lots ranging from 1/4 to 1/3+ acre.

Two builders, Aspen Homes and Rosenberger Construction, are constructing homes in Stone Creek. This year, these two companies were awarded the North Idaho Business Journal's Best of North Idaho awards for Best Residential Builder.

Land/home packages, with homes ranging from 1,800 square feet and up, are priced between $335,000 and $500,000. Lots are available both on and off the park; some back onto private land with a creek running along the base of the embankment, affording a great deal of privacy.

HOA fees are $30/month and cover maintenance of the greenspace and pavilion.

Stone Creek isn't a neighborhood of tract homes. The houses are custom-built Northwest craftsman style with timber frame exteriors and stone accents, and include three- to five-car garages.

"For a development, the builders are adding standard features as a baseline that you wouldn't find anywhere else," Carr said. Those features include granite counters, hardwood floors, custom cabinets, full wrap windows, wood interior doors, central air, and gas fireplaces with stone surrounds.

Five homes have been built and five more are under construction, including a spec home. Both Aspen Homes and Rosenberger Construction have furnished model homes available to tour.

Residents in Stone Creek typically are downsizing from larger homes that are selling quickly, so they want to buy an existing home instead of waiting months to build a new home.

"We have standing inventory, ready to go," Carr said.

Stone Creek has the best of both worlds: being a new neighborhood, you can help decide what its nature will eventually be, but with the proximity to The Rocking R, you have the benefits of an established neighborhood, as well.

One of the best things about Stone Creek is the convenience. Sitting on your porch listening to the birds sing and the turkeys gobble, you'd never know that you're minutes from a wealth of restaurants, shops, services and recreational opportunities.

Aspen Homes' prices have increased about 5 percent since the development opened, and Rosenberger's have done the same. The demand for homes in Stone Creek will most likely continue to drive the prices upward.

"The market is encouraging," Smith said. "People are confident in the market and are buying homes."

"There's a shortage of homes in a certain price point," he continued. "so there's a pent-up demand. There's also an increased demand for new construction, compared to the last couple of years."

"We're getting good activity at our open houses," Carr said. The model homes are open from noon to 3 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, and by appointment.

So, if you're ready to experience the quiet convenience of Stone Creek, contact Scott Carr at (208) 640-0464 or Scott Smith at (208) 661-6153.