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TRADITIONS
HomeStretch has now sold all the homes in the Traditions development. Traditions is a neighborhood style development located on Rusch Road one half mile from Garfield Avenue. The development was created by Red Management and is owned and managed by Tim Burden.
Although these homes have been sold, the photos will remain on the site for a while to give you an idea of the quality of construction of our homes as construction of the Honor home is still in the early stages of the interior construction.
Borrowing elements from our hugely popular Ridgewood Cottage model, a new Traditions model was created to accommodate the configuration of the Traditions lots. The garage was detached and placed behind the homes where it is accessed by an alleyway. Two of the lots have slight elevations, requiring raising the porch. Archways divide the living spaces, evoking memories of a visit to the grandparents or to a favorite aunt’s home. The kitchen, the figurative center of every home, is also the actual center of the Traditions homes. Furnished with stove, refrigerator, dishwasher and microhood (combination microwave and range hood), the kitchen also has enough countertop space to handle the most demanding occasion. Three bedrooms, two full baths, a full basement and a large covered front porch make these homes both family and neighborhood friendly.
810 Cobalt Street
Above is shown the final sold home on Cobalt Street in the Traditions development. Although the time for the mortgage paperwork to be completed took several months longer than anticipated, we were able to close on the home on December 23rd, just in time for Christmas. Below is a floor plan. Please note that all dimensions are approximate and some changes may have been made during construction.
Traditions Floor Plan - Approximately 1288 Square Feet
The design of the new model was intended to blend with the homes currently in the development. Below is a view of each set of Traditions homes. Four homes were built in the neighborhood and two were sold in time for the families to spend Thanksgiving in their new home.
 
Of course, there is no substitute for viewing the homes with your real estate agent, but that may not be an option at the time you are viewing the website. It may be late at night right now, so below are some photos of the interior of the homes to help you decide if you should make the call in the morning.
 
The entrance door and stylish coach light make a good first impression as you step onto the expansive porch, which will be perfect for sitting out on warm evenings and chatting with neighbors - once the snow finally melts.
Here is the view from the porch in warmer weather
 
As you enter the sunny living room, you are greeted by graceful arches and a convenient coat closet. Even the countertop supports echo the curves of the doorways.
 
Another arched doorway leads to the two smaller bedrooms and the first full bath. The Master Bedroom has another full bath as well as a ceiling fan for energy savings.
 
The generously sized dining area is conveniently located next to the kitchen. The view from the back door of the house is just as inviting as the front, with graceful arches and a view of the spacious living room.
 
The kitchen has plenty of countertop space and the two tiered configuration keeps the mess out of sight until after dinner. You can also use high stools for countertop dining, or use the area as a sideboard when entertaining.
Another view of the kitchen area with the refrigerator installed. The kitchen is furnished with stove, refrigerator, dishwasher and microhood, a combination microwave and range hood.
 
 
Throughout there are fixtures and details usually found only in high priced homes, proving that an affordable home can be a stylish home.
The garage is located in the rear of the home and is accessed by an alleyway.
 
The garage lights coordinate with the coach light at the front door. The wide door of the two-car garage looks like an old fashioned coach house door, but don’t be fooled. The strap hinges and handles are only decoration - the garage is equipped with a very modern electric opener.
In addition to all the high quality features shown above, the homes are also energy efficient, earning a Five Star rating.
Only four Traditions homes were built and all four have now been sold. At this time, HomeStretch does not have any further new homes planned for the Traverse City area as MSHDA is scaling back its single family subsidies until the market improves, and the supportive housing project, Keystone Village, will occupy all our resources for a while. If you have been waiting to purchase a new home through our program, this is the time. If you are unable to complete a purchase at this time, we anticipate there will be previously sold homes coming onto the market from time to time. Currently there are two Kensington Park East Condominiums and one home on River Street in Benzie County for sale by the original buyers. See below for the listing agent on these homes. We will have three new homes for sale in Benzie County. Construction on the first home on Main Street in Honor has begun and we anticipate completion of the home in February of 2010.
MAIN STREET - HONOR
For several years travelers through Honor passed a burned out home on Main Street, its missing roof replaced by a blue tarp. Called by some “The Tarp House” the property was condemned and foreclosed. HomeStretch acquired this and an adjoining property and has begun the first of the three homes that will be built there.
The homes will have approximately 1,400 square feet of living space, a two car garage and a basement. On the main level will be the large  living room and separate dining room, the kitchen, one of the full bathrooms, a laundry/mud room, and the master bedroom. The lower level will house two more bedrooms and the second full bathroom. A large family sized deck will complete the home. The homes will also meet 5 Star Energy and handicapped visitability standards. Due to market conditions, HomeStretch will build the homes one at a time and wait until the home is sold before beginning the next. These three homes in Honor are the last of the single family homes that are planned as MSHDA is not funding single family development until market conditions improve.
Below is an artist’s drawing of the Honor Main Street homes and the floor plan for the homes. The drawings are not to scale, all dimensions are approximate, and some changes may be made during construction.
Front view drawing of Main Street - Honor home
Main Level of Main Street Honor Home
Lower Level of Main Street Honor Home
 Construction on the first house began in the summer and is proceeding rapidly. Some delay was caused by the discovery that the trees we had hoped to preserve were deemed too old to be safe or too close to the power lines and had to be removed. Once the lower level was framed, great care had to be taken in framing the main level as a cable line ran across the corner of the home. A new utility pole had to be set before the power and cable companies could move the lines and construction could continue. We are hoping for a long warm fall so that the outside of the home can be completed before the winter weather arrives. To watch the progress of the building of this home, go to our Project Updates page. With a little luck, this house will be ready for a family in February of 2010.
If you are interested in one of our available homes, visit our Home Purchase Application page. You may also contact Ken at 947-0033 to make an appointment to view the homes. For questions on HomeStretch program eligibility, contact Maureen at HomeStretch.
RESALE HOMES
 From time to time one of the homes previously sold by HomeStretch is listed for sale by the initial owner. These homes are still bound by the affordability restrictions placed on them. The selling price of the homes is calculated by a formula and the homes must be sold to income eligible households. Although the home is actually sold by the initial owner, HomeStretch is responsible for ensuring that the potential buyer meets eligibility criteria and that the transaction is in compliance with the affordability agreement.
Currently there are two condominiums for resale in Kensington Park East. They are listed here as a courtesy and the information given here may change as this section will not be regularly updated and initial owners may change their listing agent without notifying HomeStretch; some never notify us of the agent with whom their home is listed. To the best of our knowledge, the available resale homes are listed as follows:
- 1717 Woodward Avenue
- Agent: Ken Kleinrichert - Re/Max - 231-947-0033
- 1725 Woodward Avenue
- Agent: Debi Dechow, Re/Max - 231-645-0044
 Since our Ridgewood townhouses were built on the same plan as Kensington Park East, you can click here to go to the rental page to view the floor plan and interior photos. Some changes in decorating details were made from KPE to Ridgewood, but the construction is essentially the same. Kensington Park East does not have the stepped countertop. Phase I of KPE was not sold with a dishwasher, however the initial owner may have installed one. The owner also may have changed some light fixtures or painted the walls a different color from the ones in the photos. You will need to actually view the homes to see what if any changes were made.
We have also received word that one house in Benzie County has been listed for sale. The information is:
- 7430 River Street, Benzonia
- Agent: Randy Dye, Re/Max - 352-5200
Please contact the agent listed for information on these homes. If you decide to purchase one of these homes, you must fill out a HomeStretch application and be determined eligible. You will also need to agree to the affordability restrictions on the homes and will need to contact HomeStretch for further details.
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