Building the homes of the future

By LAURIE STUART

HURLEYVILLE, NY — If economic development is measured by the existence of high-quality subdivision, then Sullivan County is on its way up.

“American Homebuilder” D.R. Horton will begin its first housing project in New York in spring 2005 with a 111-home development called “The Grande at Hurleyville.” The colonial-styled homes with four bedrooms, two-car garages and full basements are expected to sell at about $250,000. The development will be located behind Main Street on 60 acres of land, which is connected to municipal water and sewer. Each home in the four-model community will be situated on lots of approximately 15,000 square feet, with 100 feet of road frontage and 15-foot side yards.

D.R. Horton principals were welcomed to the community at a luncheon at the Woodstone Development Corp. in Bethel on Wednesday, November 18.

Jay Corbett, D.R. Horton sales manager, told the assembled group of municipal and school officials, chamber representatives, economic development personnel, county planning officials and interested parties that the first homes would be sold in late summer 2005, with move-in expected by fall.

It will take three years before the development—in two phases—will be completed.

“This is something Fallsburg has to have,” Supervisor Steve Levin said. “This is certainly a tremendous asset for us.”

Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jacquie Leventoff said, “This will bring a new diversity into the school district.”

When asked by Superintendent of Schools Dr. Martin Handler how many students were anticipated, Corbett said that it was difficult to assess since they were not sure whether the homes would be bought by Orange County residents looking to move or by Sullivan County residents.

Gerry Foundation Executive Director Jonathan Drapkin asked what the income level would need to be to afford a $250,000 home.

“Eighty to $100,000,” Corbett estimated.

The median income for Sullivan County households according to the 2000 census was $38,439, with an expected level of $46,750 in 2005.

D.R. Horton, which built 43,500 homes throughout the United States in 2004, hires local builders to construct the homes, works with a central purchases system—which local building supply companies can get on—and has its own in-house sales department, but works in cooperation with local realtors.