Lake Geneva, WI – December 7, 2021 – Bernadette Bisaillon, a Chicago native for more than 40 years and Vice President and Private Wealth Advisor at US Bank, was no stranger to Lake Geneva living, having previously owned a home on the lake, when she decided Chicago was no longer a desirable or affordable option.
“The cost of living, particularly taxes, and the overall city environment made Chicago increasingly less appealing,” Bernadette said. “We had a home for years on Geneva Lake, when my son was growing up, and loved spending time there throughout all four seasons. When I was asked to assist clients at US Bank in Milwaukee, I said I would be happy to as long as I could live in Lake Geneva.”
Bernadette was weighing her options, even considering renting, when a friend, familiar with Shodeen Homes, a Geneva, IL– based company celebrating its 60th year in homebuilding, encouraged her to take a ride and visit Stone Ridge, a community of 168 single-family homesites within walking distance of downtown Lake Geneva.
“I visited the community and was blown-away with the quality product Shodeen was offering,” Bernadette said. “Having built, remodeled and served as co-general contractor on 11 personal homes I knew what quality building looked like. I walked through a home that was just being framed and was so impressed with what I saw, I put a deposit down that day. Within two weeks we were under contract.”
Just west of Route 12 and north of 120 in Walworth County, Stone Ridge offers ranch and two-story homes ranging from 1,860 to 2,674 square feet in size with three or four bedrooms, two to 3 ½ baths, gourmet island kitchens, basements and two or three-car garages with prices starting in the mid-$400s.
Bernadette chose the 2,652-square-foot Abbey ranch plan which features three bedrooms, 3 baths, full-basement and three-car garage as standard.
“I fell in love with the openness of the plan,” Bernadette said. “I work a hybrid schedule, which includes working from home and needed a private office which was included in the floor plan. Shodeen was wonderful to work with and so accommodating. I made some changes to the plan by adding a walkout basement, which Shodeen finished for me, as well as a screened porch, which required them to change the roofline. I also added a dry bar, additional pantry space and reconfigured the powder room. Perhaps my favorite feature is the view. I enjoy the privacy of backing to the woods where I see deer and turkey all the time.”
Shodeen offers a comprehensive warranty program, which includes a 30-day, 6-month and 12-month walk-through. Bernadette, who’s been living in her home since Memorial Day Weekend, gives Shodeen high-marks on customer service.
“On a scale of one-to-ten I would give Shodeen an 11,” Bernadette said. “The few warranty requests that I’ve had have been addressed immediately, often the same day. They jump-through-hoops to take care of their customers. I recommend them to everyone. In fact, I have two friends who have been so impressed with the quality of my home as well as my experience with Shodeen, they are considering making a move to Stone Ridge.”
Stone Ridge is served by Lake Geneva School District J1, including Badger High School and is less than one mile from Geneva Lake and its 21-mile Shore Path and offers endless water sports, boat tours and beaches.
“We really do have the best of both worlds at Stone Ridge,” Bernadette said. “We enjoy Lake Geneva and all it offers but are far enough way to enjoy our privacy and avoid tourist traffic and lakefront taxes. I travel to Chicago often, either for work or to visit my son and his wife and can be there in 90 minutes.”
Bernadette Bisaillon gets ready to celebrate the holidays in her new Shodeen Home at Stone Ridge in Lake Geneva.To learn more about Stone Ridge, please call (262) 394-5650 or visit www.shodeenhomes.com. Hours are Monday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Tuesday and Wednesday by appointment.
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