Second Home Owners Still Living Large at the Chapin Estate

BETHEL, N.Y., Oct. 10, 2011 - Woodstone Lakes Development, LLC has completed more than 100 highly customized homes and is continuing development of its exclusive Chapin Estate community. The 101st and 102nd completed homes both offer between 5-7,000 square feet of total living space in each home, and the 103rd new home will boast more than 11,000 square feet of space, all on five-plus lakeside acres in this private Catskills community.

Woodstone Co-founder and Chairman Howard M. Schoor pointed to the health of the second/vacation home sector as his company started construction of the 103rd home site. "Even in uncertain economic times, many families are investing in vacation homes because they deliver dividends in terms of "quality family time" and relaxation today, in addition to whatever financial rewards they may yield in the future," he noted.

The Chapin Estate, opened by Woodstone in 2002, is a master-planned, upscale, exclusive, residential vacation community. Situated on more than 2,500 acres of undisturbed lands, the property borders two of the area's largest water bodies, Swinging Bridge Reservoir (1,100 acres) and Toronto Reservoir (880 acres). The property is adjacent to 13,000± acres of New York State-owned conservation and open space forever-wild lands, which ensures seclusion, security and privacy for Chapin Estate property owners and guests.

Buyers purchase wooded lots, either on or off the lake (minimum of 5 acres) and may work with designer/builder Woodstone, or their own architects, to create their dream home. Woodstone's unique Chapin Estate residences are highly custom designed using native building materials, such as trees, logs, sawn timber and stone, resulting in a rustic luxury style in harmony with the natural environs.

More than 150, five-acre lots have been sold since 2002, at prices starting at $150,000 for off lake and $400,000 for lakeside locations. The more than 100 custom designed and built homes range in price from $500,000 to $14,000,000. Most homes are large with some exceeding 14,000 square feet. Covenants and protective restrictions are in place to protect ones investment and quality of life. Whether a small cabin or a sprawling compound, all architecture is approved by a design committee to ensure aesthetics, privacy, and quality.

Many Homeowners are from the Tri-State Area

Many Chapin Estate residents hail from New York City, Northern New Jersey, Long Island and Westchester. They are attracted to the sanctuary afforded by the unspoiled beauty of Chapin's gated preserve, its security, and proximity to NYC. The quality construction, unique hand-crafted design features and the premium finishes that are Woodstone's trademarks are widely evidenced throughout the Chapin Estate.

The recently completed homes were built on five-acre lots purchased in Summer 2010. One has approximately 6,000 square feet of living space, including 6 bedrooms, 6.5 baths, a theatre, yoga room/gym, game/rec room, large kitchen island and bump-out dining area. Outside, the home has a covered eating deck with built-in stone fireplace and grill as well as a second covered deck for lounging, rear patio with fire pit and stone patio at the lake.

Another home has nearly 5,000 square feet of immediate living space with the potential for an additional 1,800+ in the future. It features 4 bedrooms including one setup like a camp with bunk beds, two showers and a gang sink. Recreation and dining are provided in the gaming area and billiard room, wine cellar with stone arches, and a large kitchen. The design includes two areas of covered decks for eating and lounging, a custom built staircase, whole house audio plus an oversized car garage with space for future development above and below the car area. Mud rooms are located on the main and lower level, which has a dog shower for the family pet.

"Before we discovered the Chapin Estate, we had weekly rentals at the Jersey Shore for 17 years," said new Chapin Estate homeowner Jane Tauber. "We love that Chapin is private and quiet yet there are so many fabulous people there and it's wonderfully close to Bethel Woods (Performing Arts Center). We moved in July 1 and didn't leave until Labor Day!"