Q. What do you like about Castle Oaks and this Master Planned Community?
A. Living in a Master Planned Community has numerous benefits you might not
think about when you first purchase a home but they quickly become
significant. For our family with three kids – sidewalks are huge. Being able
to safely walk from street to street and often to the the park (yes, another
part of a planned community) without worrying about traffic. Golf Cart/Bike
lanes also are incredible and a benefit that we constantly put to use. We
live in an area where we can literally walk all the way to downtown on
sidewalks. For those with golf carts, we can jump in a cart and drive down
to the grocery store or to dinner. It makes life more comfortable and isn’t
that what everyone is looking for? Comfort and safety.
Q. Is the golf course a great draw for you as far as an activity and open space?
A. Golf course living isn’t just about golf. Don’t get me wrong, my wife and
our kids love to play at Castle Oaks, but the real beauty is an area that
someone else agonizes over day after day to keep lush and green. The open
space is incredible and thanks to easy maintenance landscaping and drought
resistant plants yard work is minimal. The lush green part – we leave that
to the professionals at Castle Oaks because let’s face it, they are better
at it. We just get to enjoy what they do.
Q. Do you use the restaurant and bar to your advantage?
A. Ah yes, the restaurant and bar. Needless to say with a family of five
someone is always hungry. We’ve had the pleasure of taking the family to the
restaurant Caddy’s at Castle Oaks. The restaurant is very family friendly
and the food is fantastic, from the quick club sandwich to pastas and the
more intricate faire. My son swears by their hot dogs. As for the bar – we
never use it… just kidding. The full bar is fun to catch up with your
neighbors and offers a complete selection. Semi-private neighborhood parties
crop up from time to time, but we’re really about inclusion, so usually
it’s hearing what everyone is up to, meeting where people are from or
catching the latest games.
Q. Do you like the small town atmosphere of Ione?
A. As mentioned, from our planned community the jump to downtown can be made
by sidewalk or by golf cart, or you can walk just as easily. My wife grew up
in a small Texas town and I grew up in the Midwest. This area is very
friendly so don’t be shocked when people you don’t know say hello or offer
to assist as you are carrying purchases to your car. Neighborhoods are quiet
but also very friendly as “community” is more than just a word. We love the
privacy of our backyard and the friendliness and social aspect of the front
yard and streets. That is to say, community isn’t just a word in these
parts. We are friends and neighbors. When we want solitude we have it. When
we want to mix with our friends – it’s easy. Downtown is a lively mix of
folks with friendliness and courtesy as a common thread.
Q. Why did you choose a new JTS Communities home?
A. We moved into a JTS Communities home for the pure and simple fact that we
feel the design and the quality of the homes are top notch. We liked the
community, the schools – certainly the golf course and the amenities for our
children. But you also want a home to be an investment that will last over
time. A home that is superior in design, built with quality materials and
fits with the area. For us, we wanted an area with a master plan that built
sidewalks, thought about wider streets and recreational lanes, that put in
parks within walking distance of our front door. And let’s face it, buying a
house is a big investment. We wanted our investment, our home purchase, to
be a partnership with a group that stands behind their homes not only as we
ventured through the purchase process, but someone we could count on in the
future. JTS Communities was a perfect fit for our family.
Q. Has service and warranty been friendly and prompt?
A. Okay, so we moved in and delayed our walk-through with the service
warranty folks. When we finally did call, they showed up and walked through
any concerns or little fixes we might have. Now keep in mind, my wife is a
stickler on detail and these type of items. The warranty department is
extremely friendly. They want to make sure the quality and the value of your
home lasts, and lasts – and well, lasts. They took down what used to be
called the “honey – do” list and are scheduled to come do what I used to
have to do. I guess I’ll go play golf. The service and warranty department
are extremely friendly and will remind you every time you call that your
investment is very important. They really want your home in tip top shape.
That’s the partnership.
Q. Did you agent help you through the buying process in a fun and informative way?
A. Buying a home, especially in California is extremely complicated. Think
about it, how many contracts and home sales are you going to see in a
lifetime. And even if you, like me, carried a real estate license in another
state and have seen contracts, it’s well, let’s just say it can be very
complicated. We had loads of questions. We had real worries over rather we
could even consider getting into JTS Communities. I don’t care who you are,
in this day and age money is really important and buying a house very nerve
racking. JTS Communities has excellent agents that are working extremely
hard to see that you get into the home you want, with the terms you want.
They have a vast knowledge of the various financing programs available and
o ptions that just might get you into a house – no, a home – that you may not
have thought was possible. Don’t overlook your opportunity here at JTS
Communities and in Ione. You might just be passing up on a beautiful
opportunity. I guess what I would say to anyone that is considering moving
to the area, or specifically to Ione ‹ take a visit to JTS Communities and
take a look around. Ask questions and look at some homes or building sites.
Anyone can look at houses, find a home. Find a community. It’s great to be
part of the family, JTS Communities.
–Jack Mitchell, Publisher Amador Ledger Dispatch