Neighborhood of the week: Goodwater Loop at The Landings

Value and design functionality.

That is what AXIOM Homes offers to families who are looking for a floor plan and home design with charm, quality and affordability. Located within The Landings, Goodwater Loop is a smaller "pocket neighborhood" within the larger community. AXIOM Homes will debut its first six home builds on this special street.

"Goodwater Loop is a little subdivision within a subdivision," said John Claybaugh, Director of Sales for AXIOM Homes. "The pride of ownership is evident on this street. It has a totally different feel than the rest of The Landings, but still affordable."

Jeremiah Steckman and his partner Jason Stirtz are co-owners of AXIOM Homes, a custom and semi-custom homebuilder in the greater Spokane and Coeur d'Alene area. The design/build team has purchased six lots on Goodwater Loop, which Joel Pearl Group is marketing for them.

"We want to keep the integrity of this street," Steckman said. "We see this as an opportunity to continue and participate in that."

AXIOM Homes is offering two plans in Goodwater Loop, three bedroom/two bath single-story homes from 1,300 to 1,540 square feet. Vinyl fencing with a gate, and front yard landscaping with a timed irrigation system are included. Upgrade packages are available, including a technology package. Homes feature an open great room concept with a split bedroom design. The master bedroom suite includes a walk-in closet and dual vanity sink.

Although AXIOM Homes is a new company (incorporated in June 2014), Steckman and Stirtz are not new to the industry, with thousands of homes under their belts. Steckman has a degree in

Design and Drafting, with over 18 years' experience in construction, design, and project management. A background in construction gives him a practical understanding of building and project management. Stirtz has a degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Management Information Systems. He's been working in the home building industry for the last 11 years. Positions as purchasing manager, director of purchasing, estimating manager and general manager have taught him the skills needed to succeed in their sector of the market.

Steckman and Stirtz were co-workers who became friends. They recognized that they had similar ambitions, and decided to combine their skill sets and form AXIOM Homes. "We realized we had the nucleus of a company," Stirtz said.

"We have a real commitment to quality," Steckman said. "We want to be proud of any project we're involved with." A major tenet of their building company is designing homes that fit a family's needs and budget.

Oftentimes, clients have clear ideas of what they want, but it comes in over budget. That's where Steckman and Stirtz come in. They collaborate on design and product knowledge to offer the client the best options within their budget. Steckman designs and Stirtz prices out as they go.

"The reality is, most people can't have everything they want," Steckman said. "We want to give them good alternatives and, in the end, help them achieve their goal."

One way AXIOM helps homeowners reach their goals is evaluating how a family lives.

"We design homes around the way people live," Steckman said. "The design makes a big difference." They focus on using space well to obtain functionality. They currently have 8-10 projects in the works, and are always interested in talking to potential clients.

"We're hitting the ground running."

Joel Pearl Group is the exclusive listing brokerage for AXIOM Homes. "They're coming along with us on our journey," Steckman said. "They've been a driver to our business. We partner with people we trust."

The existing homes on Goodwater Loop are primarily ranchers, although a few have a bonus room upstairs. The houses are architecturally similar in style, so there's a consistency throughout the street: exteriors feature rustic rock accents, stained shakes in the gables, and HardiePlank siding. All of the homes are fenced. "They stand out from most homes in The Landings," Claybaugh said. The current residents are mostly empty-nesters.

The Landings is conveniently located in the middle of Kootenai County. It's easy to get to Post Falls and Spokane, but is still close to the services that Coeur d'Alene and Hayden offer. Perched at the edge of the prairie, the neighborhood offers stunning views, surrounded as it is by Canfield, Signal Point and Rathdrum Mountains. And the Prairie Trail is close by, so you can access the network of bike and walking trails that crisscrosses our area. You are truly in the midst of everything.

The crown jewel of The Landings is 11-acre Landings Park, featuring a playground and splash pad; basketball, volleyball and tennis courts; paved bike trails and walking paths; a disc golf course; covered gazebos and restrooms. In the spring and summer, the community sponsors special events in the park.

For more information about AXIOM Homes, visit their website at www.axiom-homes.com. And if you'd like to be one of the lucky few to live in an AXIOM home on Goodwater Loop, contact John Claybaugh at (208) 916-8667 to find out more about this unique opportunity.

If you have a neighborhood that you'd like to feature in this series, contact Beth Hanggeli at bhanggeli@cdapress.com.