Unionville, CT: Langdon's Quarters As Picturesque As A Hollywood Set

Nestled in the village of Unionville in Farmington, Langdon's Quarters has mountain views and is surrounded by conservation land. You won't find any Desperate Housewives here, but you might be tempted to look. "I've heard Langdon's Quarters described as being like Wisteria Lane," said broker George J. Santos, referring to the camaraderie and picturesque nature of the fictional street.

The subdivision's layout is indeed striking. "We didn't want to do a basic subdivision like everyone else does - cut a road in straight through and have the houses all face each other," said Santos. Instead, the homes are all built around one of three park areas. The center one even boasts a gazebo. "We wanted a place with a sense of community, with a safe area for kids to play," he noted.

The layout of this By Carrier community is perfect for impromptu softball and soccer games, outdoor picnics and parties, for walking Fidos and felines or for just sitting back and gazing at the scenery. "There are beautiful mountain views," said Santos. "Plus, the whole community is surrounded by natural conservation land. There are trees and woods all the way around." Best of all, maintenance of the large park-like spaces is included in the common fees. Homeowners need only to mow and maintain their individual properties.

The $92 monthly maintenance cost also includes snow removal, upkeep of the community's private roads and sidewalks, and maintenance of each home's irrigation sprinkler system. Some of the homeowners even contract with the lawn care company that provides service for the common areas to maintain their individual properties for an extra fee of $30 to $60 a month.

It helps create a worry-free lifestyle, noted Santos, who added that many of the homeowners who have already bought into the first two phases of the development were attracted by another feature that keeps gray hairs at bay Ð By Carrier's five-year warranty. This extended limited warranty covers HVAC, plumbing, electrical, roof leaks, basement leaks and structural defects. (See builder for additional details.)

"We've been in business for 40 years. The fact that we've been through good and bad economic times and offer a peace-of-mind warranty is a good selling point," Santos said. "People feel more comfortable buying from us."

The community has already sold 29 of its planned 45 homes, many of them to young families upgrading from starter homes. Santos credited quality craftsmanship and value for the company's successful track record. Langdon's Quarters received a prestigious Home Building Industry Award (HOBI) in 2011 for the Best Small Lot Community in Connecticut and also for Hartford County's Community of the Year.

Santos pointed out that all the homes in the community are custom homes. Buyers meet first with Santos, who provides them with concept designs and ideas. The homeowners also provide a wish list of their own and Santos brings the information to the company's in-house architect, Johnny Carrier. As a professional engineer, Johnny Carrier then brings the buyers' vision to life in the final design and plans for the home.

Nine-foot ceilings on the first floor are standard and cathedral ceilings can also be integrated into the layout. Open floor plans are one of the most requested features at Langdon's Quarters, along with gourmet kitchens. The spa-like master bathrooms typically include a glass-enclosed, tiled "European style" shower and granite countertops. Another popular request is a first-floor "drop zone," a place between the garage and the main floor where kids can drop off backpacks and take off shoes and boots.

"We've had homeowners who want a first-floor bedroom for in-laws and people who want to have three full bedrooms on the second floor. We built another home with a 'tavern' on the first floor," commented Santos. Other popular features include first-floor studies, four-season rooms and finished, walk-out basements used for family rooms and home theaters. Several homeowners have even optioned for a "Romeo and Juliette" style balcony off the master bedroom.

Home models range from 2,200 to 3,300 square feet. The home designs are replete with detailing, noted Santos, with many architectural features such as crown molding, columns, tray ceilings and more. While designs vary, all the homes are Energy Star certified. "The average total utility cost for heat, electrical and air conditioning averages about $2,400 a year," Santos said.

In addition to the setting, Langdon's Quarters is a stone's throw away from the village of Unionville, which historically was called Langdon's Quarters. "There are a lot of little stores, little restaurants. It's very picturesque, offering the charm of yesteryear." Santos also noted that, "It's within walking distance of the development." And for those who like to hoof it, there's a walking trail from the community to the Farmington River Trail.

Open houses at Langdon's Quarters are held on Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. and daily by appointment. For more information on the development, call George J. Santos of JFC Endeavors at 860-305-3256 and visit www.langdonsquarters.com.

Margaret DeMarino is a free-lance writer based in New Haven.

Langdon's Quarters Unionville, CT

• Builder: JFC Endeavors
• Price: $489,000 to $567,000
• Style: Two-story traditional homes
• Rooms: 8 to 10
• Bedrooms: 3 to 4
• Baths: 2.5 to 4.5
• Square Footage: 2,200 to 3,300 square feet
• Acreage: 27 acres
• Tax Rate: 21.27 mills
• Best Features: Picturesque setting, custom construction
• Contact: George J. Santos JFC Endeavors 860-305-3256