Are We Home Yet?

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Where should it be located? How many bedrooms do we need? What towns should we THE PRESTON by Orleans Homesconsider? Do we want brick, or maybe siding, or even yet… HardiePlank? Should the master bedroom be on the main floor or upstairs? What lot should we choose? Building a house can be taxing… oh yeah, we need to consider the community tax as well. AHHHHHHH! After months of searching, Darren and I might have found the house for us. The community, the neighbors, the amenities, and the house design all bring a smile to our faces and a “home” feeling to our hearts. 

Located just outside the borders of Matthews, NC, Callonwood Estates combines old Callonwood Pool, NCworld charm with everything you expect from a modern, well-planned community. The professionally landscaped grounds, interconnecting sidewalks, and resort-like amenities are welcome mats for residents and visitors alike to the superb community of Callonwood.

Callonwood Pool in Stallings, NC

Market Downtown Matthews, NCCommunity shopping, including grocery stores, pharmacies, and restaurants are just minutes away.  The Siskey YMCA with health and sports programs for every age level is also nearby.  A short drive takes you into quaint downtown Matthews with its parks, festivals, farmers market, library, restaurants, and other shops.

Ideal in both lay-out and design, the Preston model of Orleans Homes truly captured our attention and left us envisioning a life in Callonwood. A formal dining room and study greets you upon entry into the Preston Craftsman, then you are lead into a family room with eat-in kitchen and loads of cabinet and counter space, including a granite center island.  A guest suite is tucked in near the family room, providing a retreat for family and friends. The second level features a master suite and luxurious master bath with a walk-in closet and sitting room, 3 additional bedrooms, a full laundry room, a hall bath, and a spacious home theater.

As I toured the house, I imagined Athena playing in the family room on Christmas morningPreston Craftsman Elevation Orleans Homes - Kitchen with stockings hung for the mantle and a popcorn-strung tree as the center piece. I pictured Darren working quietly from the study as Athena and I played games up stairs. Standing in the guest room, I smiled at the thought of having room for all of my family to visit at once and the home theater/playroom was the perfect place to hold family night. The model kitchen might have been spotless, but I was imagining it with flour-covered counters and egg-filled bowls as Athena and I learned to bake new recipes. The house was calling to us; we were home.

Preston Craftsman Elevation Orleans HomesPreston Craftsman Elevation Orleans Homes - LivingroomCallonwood Estates NCWe drove around the community searching for a lot to match the warm feelings that we had for the house. A father and daughter were playing soccer in their yard on one street; a group of adults were hanging out in their driveway with lawn chairs and opened doors on another street; and a mother was in the yard with her two young children on yet another street. There didn’t appear to be an unwelcoming street or neighbor. Each pocket in the community also had its own character with parks and common areas alongside wooded lots. Watching the father play sports with his daughter filled my heart with joy. Even though she is much older than Athena, I can picture them being our neighbors.

Club House Callonwood EstatesWe’ll make our final decision on Callonwood Estates this weekend, but my visions of Athena playing in the yard and baking cookies with me in the Preston Craftsman kitchen make the thought process that much easier.

Darren, I think we are home.

100 thoughts on “Are We Home Yet?”

  14. Wow, I love it! Like the person said before I agree “The right house will be easy and you will move right in” the wrong house is not yours GOD has something much better in store. I am very excited for you and your family. Melody

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  24. Buying a home with all the hopes and dreams of your little one in mind, is an exciting time and one I remember as if it were yesterday. I even photographed the first dirty handprint on the wall. Enjoy!

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  25. That is a beautiful house and hope that it works out for you. Love that kitchen. I use to babysit my niece and we use to spend lots of time in the kitchen when she was young and had so much fun. Lots of flour but fun. Could see you doing that with Athena!

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  27. Lesley,
    Congratulations on your move. I hope you will feel at home wherever you decide to settle down in. My husband and I were actually contemplating the Charlotte area a while back and we actually still seriously consider it especially since we have good friends in the area and always have a great time when we visit. Plus, their restaurants are fantastic!
    I wish you the best in your move.

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  31. How funny! I am planning another house hunting trip and Charlotte is on the list! We won’t be your neighbors though (;-D) as planned communities are not our thing. It looks lovely but we don’t like the restrictions involved. I don’t want someone else telling me what color to paint the front door or that I can’t put a deer fence around the garden. Congrats on finding “your spot”!

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  35. We were just in Raleigh, NC for 3 days – incredibly beautiful area with great parks, Lake Johnson was a wonderful place to walk the dogs, Kanki Japanese hibachi 4 stars, Firebirds Woodfire Grill 5 stars, downtown quite quaint – community looks great enjoy, incredible beautiful older homes along rte 70/50 and Masonic Temple has 2 fantastic buildings; one was called Ancient Free and Accepted Masons – impressive area

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  38. Gorgeous!! Congrats on your choice — looks like a perfect fit for you guys. Enjoy the fun of picking everything out — we haven’t done that in while, and I LOVE that process. Even though we are most probably in our “forever” home, we always tour the area builders’ annual Parade of Homes!

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  42. Looks fabulous, we are buying a new house ourselves, it wont be anything as grand as you have there. As older folks we are downsizing, but what a stressful time it is, buying and selling. I look forward to escaping to the golf course at every opportunity.

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