Eagle Homes aims to soar even higher after 30 years
FAMILY OWNED/OPERATED HOMEBUILDING FIRM CELEBRATES 3
DECADES OF CRAFTING QUALITY
Date: April 2007
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The
bald eagle—the iconic symbol of American pride—can
typically live as long as 30 years. Eagle Homes, on
the other hand, has already soared past that
milestone, with no end in sight to the successful
flight it began three decades ago.
Indeed, Ken Wisniewski never suspected that when he
graduated from DeKalb’s Northern Illinois University
with a degree in chemistry that someday he would be
commemorating the 30-year anniversary of Eagle
Homes, Inc., one of Chicagoland’s premiere builders
of affordably priced, quality built residences.
Interestingly, homebuilding was the furthest thing
from Wisniewski’s mind when he earned that diploma.
Unable to find a job as a chemist, he started his
career as a teacher in Grayslake. To pick up a few
extra dollars on the side, he and his wife Lillian
cleaned homes at night for a homebuilder. When that
builder offered Wisniewski a position as a
superintendent—with a salary that the school system
couldn’t match—he took him up on the offer. That
decision was to change his destiny and the futures
of hundreds of future homebuyers.
After working for someone else for three years,
Wisniewski decided it was time to launch his own
homebuilding business. He and Lillian started Eagle
Homes in 1977 and didn’t look back.
“From the outset, our goal was to construct
well-built, attractively priced homes, particularly
for entry-level buyers who desperately want their
own home, but increasingly find it harder to afford
their dream,” said Wisniewski. “Our customers are
typically young couples and growing families—buyers
who in most cases are purchasing their first home
and who appreciate the high level of craftsmanship
and reasonable prices we have to offer. They’re
often very grateful to us for helping them afford a
brand new home of their own.”
Initially, Eagle Homes focused on building
single-family homes in Lake County on finished lots
it purchased from outside developers. Several years
later, the company began developing its own land and
constructing homes on sites that it improves. Over
the years, it has also branched out into McHenry,
DeKalb and Henry Counties, creating communities in
locations like Spring Grove, DeKalb, Cortland, Malta
and Colona.
“We continue to expand our line of residential
offerings in preferred communities where people want
to live, providing more floorplans and a wider
variety of locations than ever before,” Wisniewski
said. “Regardless of where we build, our development
plan calls for careful site selection, sensitive
land planning, and imaginative architecture.
Building homes that appeal to families who enjoy the
beautiful natural landscape of Illinois is an Eagle
Homes tradition.”
Today, Ken, Lillian and son Keith run the family
owned business. Lillian, Ken’s partner in the
company, handles all the administration and manages
the headquarters office. Keith serves as Eagle
Homes’ director of land acquisition and development,
and down the road he will take the company reins
from his parents when they retire.
Everything his family knows about building, they
learned on the job, Wisniewski said.
“My only disadvantage in years past was that I had
not taken any business courses,” said Wisniewski,
who eventually returned to school to complete the
business and accounting classes he targeted. “But it
helped having a science background, which made us
more organized and methodical. We deal with many
subcontractors, which requires you to be structured
and prepared to be able to pull a project together.”
Wisniewski’s formula for success in building a home
starts with strong curb appeal. Next, he
concentrates on creating a highly functional,
eye-catching kitchen, which he considers the heart
of any home.
“The kitchen is very important, especially to the
female involved in the purchase. That room has to
appeal to a woman’s sensibilities and tastes, and it
can often make or break a deal,” he said. “Second to
the kitchen in priority is usually the master
bedroom and master bath.”
Offering an efficiently designed, spacious basement
and garage is the third priority, he noted.
“Thirty years ago when we first started, many
builders did not provide garages. We built 1,400
square-foot, tri-level homes that sold for $50,000.
Those graduated to two-story homes spanning 1,500 to
2,000 square feet and still lacking garages,” said
Wisniewski. “Today, we still offer two-story homes
in the same size range, but the garage is now a
must. In fact, we’re finding that a lot of new
buyers request a three-car garage, so we offer that
as an option, too.”
Surprisingly, it’s the single-level lifestyle
offered by a ranch floorplan that has proved to be a
popular product at most Eagle Homes communities—and
not just among empty nesters and retirees.
“Ranch designs are hot among young couples and
families with children, too,” Wisniewski said. “Our
single-family ranches are designed to appeal to all
buyers, as are our attached residences—such as the
low-maintenance townhomes and extra-roomy Carriage
Homes we offer.”
Eagle Homes’ current communities include Nature’s
Crossing in Cortland, Prairie Springs in Malta,
Wineberry of DeKalb, and Stonebridge Crossing in
Colona. This summer, the company will break ground
on a new condominium community in the city of
Rochelle, located 15 miles west of DeKalb at the
intersection of I-39- and I-88. Rochelle is the site
of the major railport that was just installed by the
Union Pacific Railroad. The new development is yet
another effort on behalf of Eagle Homes to meet the
needs of its buyers.
“Most entry-level buyers and shoppers on a tighter
budget have to move further out from Chicago and its
inner ring of suburbs because of rising new
construction prices. But they’re willing to travel a
little extra to get to work if it means finding a
nice home in a desirable location that provides a
great value and low property taxes,” Wisniewski
said, noting that 50 percent of Eagle Homes’ sales
come from the DeKalb area, while the other half
comes from the Fox River Valley. “Home seekers who
are commuting east to Aurora, St. Charles, Batavia,
Naperville, Lisle and even Oak Brook are drawn to
our neighborhoods, which are conveniently accessible
to expressways and major thoroughfares.”
Impressively, 30 percent of Eagle Homes’ buyers are
from referrals.
“The fact that a significant portion of our business
comes from favorable word-of-mouth tells us we’re
doing something right. So we’ll continue serving our
buyers by giving them what they want,” said
Wisniewski, who looks forward to another 30 years of
building homes of lasting integrity at attractive
prices. “The last 30 years have been challenging,
exhilarating and fulfilling. I’m continually amazed
at how fast the time flies. Before you know it,
we’ll be celebrating our company’s 60-year
anniversary.”
Located near DeKalb in Cortland and within the
Sycamore school district, Nature’s Crossing is a
community of 214 single-family country homes and 138
attached Carriage Homes, where three new models
recently opened for viewing. Shoppers in the market
for a single-family home can select from a total of
12 different styles, each offering three to four
bedrooms, one-and-a-half baths, two-car garage,
living and dining areas, great room, fully
applianced kitchen, breakfast room (per plan), and
basement (per plan). Base prices range from $198,390
to $243,890 (after a current $10,000 discount in
effect for a limited time; all prices subject to
change without notice). Sizes span from 1,207 to
2,286 square feet. For more information, call (815)
754-5000.
Situated just north of I-88 in Malta near DeKalb,
Prairie Springs consists of 379 single-family homes.
Buyers can choose from 12 spacious two-story and
ranch single-family home designs, each offering
three to four bedrooms, one-and-a-half to
two-and-a-half baths, a two-car garage, large eat-in
kitchen, oversized closets and great room (per
plan). Depending on the home, available options
include fireplaces, skylights, volume ceilings in
the master bedroom, and additional bedrooms. Several
Prairie Springs homesites offer scenic lake views
and back up to open space. Base prices range from
$163,590 to $219,890, and sizes span from 1,207 to
2,301 square feet. Call (815) 825-2500 for details.
Wineberry of DeKalb, a community of 180 townhomes,
offers buyers a choice of four unique
designs—including a ranch, a split level, and two
2-story townhomes. Every Wineberry residence comes
with two to three bedrooms, one to three baths, a
two-story Great Room (per plan), attached two-car
garage and optional basement. Base prices range from
$142,490 to $176,990, and sizes vary from 800 to
1,743 square feet. Phone (815) 748-1100 for more
information.
Stonebridge Crossing in Colona, set on a quiet
88-acre property just 15 minutes from the Quad
Cities, will include more than 200 affordably priced
residences. Buyers can select from two ranch and
four 2-story single-family homes, each providing
three bedrooms (fourth bedroom optional),
one-and-a-half to two-and-a-half baths, living and
dining room, two-car attached garage, spacious
kitchen with a breakfast area, partial to full (per
plan) basement, and family room (per plan). Prices
range from $156,490 to $201,490, and sizes span
1,207 to 2,301 square feet. Shoppers in the market
for a low-maintenance Villa home, meanwhile, can
select from three ranch and two 2-story designs,
each including a first-floor master bedroom plus one
to two secondary bedrooms (additional bedroom
optional, per plan), one-and-a-half to
two-and-a-half baths, living and dining room,
attached two-car garage, partial basement and roomy
kitchen. Low monthly association fees cover all
routine exterior maintenance, including lawn care
and leaf/snow removal. Prices range from $146,090 to
$167,900, and sizes range from 1,214 to 1,720 square
feet. Call (309) 949-3600 for further details.
Founded in 1977, Eagle Homes, Inc. prides itself on
its reputation for building more than 4,000 quality
residences in a variety of western and northwestern
suburban locations. Recognized for numerous
architectural awards, the builder brings its
specialized style of traditional and contemporary
design to its elegant homes. Eagle Homes’ commitment
to total customer satisfaction and attention to
detail has created lasting values in the communities
and neighborhoods it has developed. |
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