Backyard bonuses available at homes near park

BOTHELL -- Bear Creek is a collection of 38 three- and four-bedroom single-family homes located across from Tambark Creek Park.

The builder, Village Life Communities, is offering a $5,000 custom backyard bonus for every home purchased in October.

"The $5,000 incentive is a great bonus," says Lisa McNaughton, the director of sales and marketing at Village Life Communities. "You can use it toward a cozy firepit, a built-in barbecue, soothing water feature or additional plantings -- anything you like. There are currently two move-in-ready homes that show the firepit and outdoor barbecue.

"Thanks to our location, with Tambark Creek Park virtually in our homeowners' front yards, our community is very outdoor-oriented. The ability to create your own backyard can extend your living space outside and allow you to spend even more time outdoors. And if you have children, we just added a big toy in the neighborhood's open space," she says.

Bear Creek sits above the surrounding neighborhoods for added curb appeal. Six home designs are available, including two new floor plans: the Abbey and the Lexington.

"The community entry and presence gives you a bright and cheery feeling -- from the detailed landscaping to the homes that have a look all their own," says Sales Manager La'Cee Pahlow.

For homeowners looking for a quick closing, five homes are complete. The neighborhood also has presale opportunities, allowing buyers to work with the homebuilder's designer to personalize their spaces with their own choice of finishes and hard-surface materials.

"We have three model homes staged so that buyers can get a feel for how the homes live," McNaughton says. "Floor plans include open kitchens with islands, bonus rooms and flex spaces, and huge master suites. One of our plans even has a first-floor bedroom with an adjacent three-quarter bath that can be used as a private guest room."

Some homes offer open great room layouts, while others have more formal entertaining spaces.

The interiors of the homes at Bear Creek feature 9-foot ceilings on the main level, open-rail staircases, gas fireplaces in the great room and 6-inch Craftsman-style base trim. Kitchens are outfitted in 36-inch upper kitchen cabinetry, porcelain tile countertops with full-height backsplashes and stainless steel Whirlpool kitchen appliances.

Master suites include five-piece baths with 12-by-24-inch porcelain tile floors and walk-in closets. Available upgrades include hardwood flooring throughout the main living level and fireplaces framed in stone from floor to ceiling.

The 40-acre Tambark Creek Park includes wetlands, trails, bike paths and an off-leash dog park. It also features sports fields and play equipment. "It's a wonderful convenience for our homeowners -- whether they have children, dogs or just want to head out for a nice walk or bike ride close to home," McNaughton says.

"Mill Creek Town Center is less than four miles away from our neighborhood and includes Central Market and other great shops and restaurants," she says. "It serves as the community hub and hosts an art walk, summer concert series and, this month, trick-or-treating."

Village Life Communities is locally owned and operated. The company has built more than 10 communities in south Snohomish County.

"Our focus is on designing and building comfortable homes and our homeowners appreciate our attention to detail -- from our custom cabinetry to our custom wood-framed mirrors," McNaughton says.

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