Neighborhood of the week: Bellerive North

As our little town continues to grow and prosper, the wide variety of lifestyles available is also increasing. Whether you're looking for rural or waterfront, mountain or prairie view, large lot or small, you can find a house to suit your needs. And if you've been dreaming of a home near the water, you should consider Bellerive North.

Bellerive North is one of the newest additions to the Spokane River waterfront. Located steps away from the planned community of Riverstone, it consists of 24 partial riverview lots, 12 of which are owned by Monogram Homes. Of those 12 lots, three are already under contract. "I think they'll be built up and sold within a year," said John Beutler of Century 21 Beutler & Associates.

"There are no waterfront lots available in town," Beutler said. When they do hit the market, they quickly sell; 17 waterfront lots have sold in the past 10 months.

"There's a pent-up demand," he continued. "There hasn't been a lot of building since '07-'08. People who lost their homes in '07-'08 due to foreclosures and short sales, their credit has rebounded, and they're buying again."

Homes in Bellerive North have partial river views. Residents can access the river and new boardwalk running along the shore via sidewalks that pass through Bellerive, just across the street.

"There's an incredible energy down here," Beutler said. "You see people walking in the neighborhood. When downtown is dead in the winter, Riverstone is alive."

On the exteriors of these townhomes, customary features will include paver walkways, front porch and back patio, true wood siding, beautiful full yard landscaping, and steel fencing with gate. Inside, you'll find full wood-wrapped windows and closets, Huntwood custom cabinets, 10-foot ceilings on the main floor and 9-foot on the second floor, granite countertops, Moen plumbing fixtures, Viking stainless steel appliances, 95 percent efficient gas-forced air furnaces with air conditioning, gas fireplace, engineered hardwood floors through the living areas, and granite countertops with undermount sinks.

These custom townhomes are designed to include a two-car 24-by-24-foot detached garage with a space above it that can be used as a guest suite, craft room, or separate apartment for the in-laws. "It's really a studio apartment," Beutler said, "affording privacy for both homeowners and their guests."

Monogram Homes is an industry leader in the Inland Northwest, priding themselves on offering personalized service and customer satisfaction. Their homes are built to last, using the highest quality standards, and are customized for your needs. Their goal is to "create a home that has your fingerprints all over it." Whether it's a Craftsman, loft, Northwest or Contemporary style, your home will be designed to suit your unique needs. Select your own colors and features, and watch as your dream home develops.

And again, it's the energy in Bellerive North that makes it special. Living steps away from Riverstone offers a host of opportunities. You can walk to restaurants, shops, movies - all of the amenities this planned community offers. In the summer, there's music and a number of activities in the park. "It's what people are looking for," Beutler said. "It's a more urbanized community."

The lots are located on Bellerive Lane, which is a dead-end road with limited parking, so the only traffic will be homeowners and their guests. And another bonus: the homes back up to the Centennial Trail. "You can walk out your back door and hit the trail," Beutler said. Downtown Coeur d'Alene is a 30-minute walk away, or ride your bike and be there in a jiffy. Highway 95 and I-90 are also nearby, so it's an easy commute to Hayden or Spokane.

Lot and home packages are priced in the high $400,000s; home plans start at 2,100 square feet and include 3 bedrooms and either 2.5 or 3.5 bathrooms.

Residents of Bellerive North will be part of the Bellerive Homeowners Association, with dues of $80/month that cover maintenance of the private road and landscaping.

Bellerive North are open on the weekends, so prospective owners can wander through the townhomes as they're being built and get an idea of what each plan will look like, as they design their own dream home.

"We're getting so much interest," Beutler said. "These homes will be really nice."

So, if you've been dreaming of living near Riverstone, the Spokane River, and downtown Coeur d'Alene, call John Beutler at (208) 661-2989 for more information about owning one of the luxurious custom townhomes of Bellerive North.

If there's a neighborhood that you'd like to see featured in this series, please contact Beth Hanggeli at (208) 659-8367 or bhanggeli@cdapress.com.