Golfers Find Their Paradise

For avid golfers Jill and Dennis Skidmore, their new home at Inverness at Gregg’s Landing is a dream come true. The 2400-square-foot, two-story house has a wall of windows in the great room overlooking the seventh hole of White Deer Run Golf Course, in the Chicago suburb of Vernon Hills. Jill, 51, is a tax accountant and Dennis, 52, is a sales executive for a direct marketing company. They have two sons, Christopher, 24, and Andrew, 21.

The Skidmores didn’t have to travel far to find this house; they were already living in Vernon Hills, in a home of approximately the same size. On their wish list was an open floor plan, a large kitchen, no more than three bedrooms and freedom to customize. After seeing ads for Inverness, they decided to buy at the presale stage, sight unseen.

"We chose this plan because of the great room and the kitchen,’’ Jill says. Although they would have preferred a main-floor master, the home’s other features convinced them they had made the right choice.

The couple made some structural changes to the plan, such as removing columns in the great room and bumping out windows. Because they love to cook and entertain, they ordered a double oven and a built-in refrigerator, as well as a separate refrigerator for wine. They also upgraded the great room’s wood-burning fireplace with an oak surround and granite hearth.

The Skidmores plan to live in their new home for at least 10 years. Both work at home part-time, and Dennis travels frequently on business. "Because the home is maintenance-free, we’ll be able to go away for three months at a time once we retire," says Jill.