I’ve been told, and I’ll openly admit that I’m a hopeless romantic! Sincere gestures, direct conversation, and even snail mail are not lost on me. Luckily for me, I get to experience these beautiful, genuine modes of communication day in and day out in my daily workday 7-5 Monday through Friday. I tell you, on my side of things, genuine customer service is not dead! After all, when building a home, shouldn’t this journey begin with nothing but sincerity?! Always encouraged with a good story, I thought to share this one brought to my attention just last week. May it be a nice reminder to us all that we stand for something good and true and real. In our local Lincoln University New Home Community, Wheatland Farms our flooring partners Dunn’s Floor Covering delivered an unforgettable moment to one of our soon-to-be homeowners. While on site, Father & Son decided to stop by their home in the works just for the enjoyment of taking in the building process of their future home. The crew from Dunn’s Floor Covering,  seeing this special moment offered to have them sign the backside of one of the floorboards. After they had joyfully signed their names they helped fixed the board into place. Father and Son showed up not expecting any special treatment but were met with genuine craftsmanship and heart. Soon they will take those exciting first steps in their new home and I can only imagine the smiles shared as they cross over their signed floorboard displaying their very own names, marking the start of a new life journey. For the hopeless romantic that I am, this is what customer service is all about…

Given that the average lifespan for Americans is 78, in no way does this imply that life after retirement means racking up countless hours rocking out in a rocking chair. We are active beings! We want to stay active enjoying traveling vacations, sports entertainment, social activities, and other pursuits that perhaps your busy schedules didn’t previously permit. Take my mom for instance, this past weekend I practically had to convince her that fact and statistics place her in the “Baby Boomers” category; she was convinced that because of her active lifestyle she should be in the “X Generation.” As a “Baby Boomer” this doesn’t mean she’s any less active as an individual, she still rides horseback, gardens in the summer, and enjoys her many walks. Believe me my mom won’t be slowing down anytime soon that’s for sure! That is why, here at Cedar Knoll Builders we are strong advocates of our Active Adult Lifestyle Community, Honeycroft Village located in Chester County Pennsylvania. If you are not familiar with Honeycroft Village or even familiar with the phrase Active Adult Living, I’ve put together 6 reasons for living in our Active Adult Community, Honeycroft Village.

Reason #1 – Your Happiness. It’s not enough just to build a beautiful Active Adult Community, with fitness room, indoor pool and spa, and walking trails. These things will indeed occupy your time, but they won’t necessarily bring you happiness. The real beauty and happiness found comes when you get to share these activities with your spouse, friends, and family. Join our book club, attend Happy Hour, fitness classes, or Potluck Socials. All of these can be found in Honeycroft Village, Active Adult Lifestyle Community and they will bring you lots of fulfillment and satisfaction.

Reason #2 – For Your Health. If all I did was exercise I still wouldn’t consider myself as having ‘good health and well being’. Healthy living encompasses daily exercises, a healthy diet, AND a healthy social life. Physical activities ranging in different levels of exertion are important, but it is also important to recognize and have the opportunity to participate together with like-minded boomers in Active Adult Lifestyle things such as hobbies, crafts, or cards. All of these will bring enjoyment and may add years to your life.

Reason #3 – Find New Friends. Many folks choose to purchase or lease in our Honeycroft Village Active Adult Community because it is located no more than 600 miles from where they raised their family, or maybe their family is close to their new home. Whatever the reasons, friendships developed during most of their life prior to coming to Honeycroft Village seem impossible to ever replace, but once in an Active Adult Community, many find that new friends come easier than expected, mostly because people are just that, active.

Reason #4 – New Beginnings. Probably my favorite reason because I am a huge fan of new beginnings, Honeycroft Village, Active Adult Community gives you the unique opportunity to meet folks in your general age range right where you live. If you have been predeceased by your spouse or soul mate, or maybe found yourself as a casualty of a divorce, new beginnings are sometimes what you need. Honeycroft Village Active Adult Community, we found, can be that place for you. It may even give you a whole new take on life, a new beginning, a bran new start!

Reason #5 – So You Can Keep on Going! For some to retire is to die! Old habits die hard, and for some an abrupt transition from years of work to future years of retirement living can be a real challenge. At Honeycroft Village Active Adult Community we say that’s ok! It’s perfectly acceptable to continue working; work is good! Be it part-time or full time. You don’t have to be retired to live in and enjoy Honeycroft Village Active Adult Lifestyle Community.

Reason #6 – Finally a Time for YOU! You have invested time, money, and effort into achieving your life dreams. Now it’s time for a little YOU time. For many, your entire life may have been focused on a life of service, be it the family you raised and/or your career. Have you placed any life desires on the back burner? Maybe you’ve been waiting to try your hand at a little oil painting, or more time on the golf course with some friends, or volunteer at a local charitable event. Whatever the desire, isn’t it about time for a little YOU time? We think so. Enjoy life getting to do the things you’ve wanted to while at Honeycroft Village Active Adult Lifestyle Community.

You can almost smell the snow today! I find it hard to believe that Christmas is over and within a couple of days we will be rolling into the new year of 2012, mentally I am trying to prepare my brain for the change. Every January it takes me at least a week to remember to date everything with the appropriate year! Nonetheless, I hope you all had a fantastic Holiday spent with family and friends this past week. Before we bring out those bran new calendars though, I would like to announce the December Home of the Month! This month our pick is the Wisteria Twin Cottage available at Honeycroft Village a 55+ Active Adult Community. Beautiful, nostalgic, and charming are three words that best describe the simple elegance of The Wisteria. One foot in the door you receive a sense of comfort found in this unassuming, imperfect style country cottage. Embodying a simple elegance while combining the old/new decorating style this new home is absolutely stunning in all of its simple beauty. Featuring a two bedroom, two bath, two-story living floor plan with optional finished basement this cottage is everything a cozy home should be. The Wisteria is located in the Octorara Area School District and home to beautiful, historic Chester County Pennsylvania. Situated just outside of Lancaster County, views from the Wisteria include picturesque country farmlands and rolling hills, Amish life and culture, and home of the arts and renowned artist, Andrew Wyeth. Honeycroft Village amenities include, walking trails, on-site Community Club House complete with a state of the art fitness center, indoor pool and spa, outdoor patio, conference rooms, and gathering room. During this Holiday Season, I thought it only appropriate to select a home that embodies community and The Wisteria is everything community. At Honeycroft Village, you’ll receive not just a house, but a home and lovely community filled with true heart and soul.

Ahh the joy of custom home building! This season we were given the joy of building a beautiful custom home located in the Coatesville District Area. This beautiful two-story home was a work of art from the beginning. From the customer’s initial design to final completion this home was pieced together like a magnificent 3-D puzzle. Allowing the home to personify those deeming it their new home, the final product was a beautiful home embodying grandeur, elegance, and comfort. Words to capture this one-of-a-kind home seem inadequate, but as I sit here at my keyboard, I know that I have to try. Apart from the overall design and layout of this home, the beauty to be recognized is found in the smaller details, because it is in these details that a house becomes a home. What you’ll find is a beautiful stone inlay kitchen island with beautiful hand-selected granite countertops, and stainless steel cook-top stove and double wall oven. Their great room displays a beautiful, tall stone fireplace with matching wall sconce lights to give a warm aurora. Sparkling chandeliers, three-piece crown moulding, hardwood flooring, and wainscoting leave you feeling a little more elegant and refined, I know I walked a little taller when I was given the final tour! The master bedroom suite is something to be admired as well, for it features an octagon tray ceiling, sitting room area, his and her granite counter sinks, walk-in tile shower and flooring, additional laundry compartment, and a beautiful garden tub. This home was such a joy and we are so thankful for the opportunity. We look forward to hearing how our happy customers spent their first Christmas in their new home. For more custom photos on this new home, be sure to check out our Custom Homes Gallery page over the course of the next week.

Every Christmas my sister and I turn into the biggest suckers for all of those semi-cheesy, heart-warming Christmas Hallmark movies. We’ve sort of developed a tradition of watching all of our favorites each Christmas accompanied with a warm bag of popcorn and giant Mainecoon cat Leo to warm our sides. If I were to choose my favorite Hallmark movie, hands down it would be “The Christmas Cottage.” The movie follows the early life of painter, Thomas Kinkade in his hometown of Placerville, California. Between the streetlights, carolers, Christmas pageants, and family dinners this movie leaves you feeling all geared up for the Christmas season and all the love that comes with it. This Christmas, in our own small town of Cochranville, Pennsylvania, Honeycroft Village will embody a little Christmas spirit and love as well. December 20^th from 7-9 pm the 5^th grade class from Assumption Blessed Virgin Mary School in West Grove will be caroling through the community. So leave those light posts on if you would like to hear beautiful little voices carol a little Christmas cheer!