'Reverse Migration' & Demand for Personal Service Dramatically Alter Second Home Landscape.

Vermont's Quechee Lakes Development Company Capitalizes on 'Easy Living'

Trend Among Affluent Second Home Buyers

BOSTON, Aug. 13 /PRNewswire/ --

Say goodbye to the Florida resort homes of the '80s and the Hamptons "McMansions" of the late '90s. According to TV homebuilder Bob Vila and many in the industry, today's second home of choice for the affluent homebuyer is more limited in scale, understated in style, and in a "four season" recreational community that offers hotel-like personalized services for dwellers who seek convenience as well as quality.

"Believe it or not, most affluent potential second homebuyers are looking for a smaller second home that is custom-designed to suit their lifestyle, but also offers the type of first-class personal service they have grown to expect," said Dick Ballou, McLaughry Realty, "In the past, we generally directed these customers to the sunbelt. Now, as often as not, we show them the Northeast."

The desire to enjoy fall foliage, a traditional Christmas in the country, skiing in the winter and golf in warm weather has created a whole new version of the second home that is visited all year round. Real estate types have named this move north from Florida "reverse migration" and the phenomenon appears to be growing. In addition, a trend away from conspicuous spending has led to a redefined version of luxury that focuses on the ultimate in personalized service.

Quechee Lakes Development Company has capitalized on these trends and is building 1,000 homes in historic Quechee, Vermont. The company offers a variety of architectural styles from which to choose, yet all are in tune with the Vermont landscape and architectural traditions and offer the utmost in convenience and comfort. Homebuyers can collaborate with Boston architect John Meyer to design a home that reflects the arts and crafts movement or with Vermont architects Hunter Ulf & Chris Kennedy of UK Architects to create a more traditional Vermont country home. While each home built at Quechee Lakes can be customized to reflect the owner's personal tastes and needs, the homes are not excessively large -- most are between 1,800 and 3,000 square feet.

With 5,200 acres of river valleys and rolling hills, a home at Quechee Lakes provides an unblemished view of the Vermont countryside; an extensive offering of outdoor activities including two eighteen-hole championship golf courses, skiing, tennis, fly-fishing, hiking, canoeing, and much more; country club membership at one of New England's leading clubs, and nearby access to the cultural hubs of Woodstock, VT and Hanover, NH.

A distinguishing factor of the Quechee Lakes second home is a private concierge service that is designed to fulfill any need of the affluent lifestyle. Quechee Lakes Property Services offers a menu of over 40 services including airport pick-up and drop-off, grocery shopping, laundry, housecleaning, security inspections and landscaping. From catering a private party to feeding hungry pets, the Quechee Lakes "home concierge" can help make a homeowner's time in Vermont luxurious and carefree.

"What the upscale customer really wants is a second home that fulfills every need, but -- at the same time - does not scream excess or impose the burdens of home maintenance," said Michael Maynard, a principal of the Quechee Lakes Development Company. "From the moment the buyer begins designing his new home with one of our architects to his first housewarming party organized by our concierge service, he is experiencing the easy, hassle-free living so desired by the affluent today."

Quechee Lakes Development Company seems to be on to something. Bob Vila, creator and host of the nationally syndicated television series "Bob Vila's Home Again," is featuring a Quechee Lakes home in thirteen episodes beginning this fall. Vila focuses on the construction of a "connected home," which is a customized Quechee Lakes home with the ultimate in high tech Internet amenities. In addition to serving as the series launch for the 12th season of "Home Again," the building of the Vermont home will be featured in even greater detail and streaming video on the website, bobvila.com.

"Customization and personalization are the keys to the second home of the new millennium," said Vila, "Quechee Lakes listened to their target customer, designed in line with the customer's hopes and dreams, and is poised to capitalize on this trend."

Those lucky enough to have moved in agree that Quechee Lakes offers the ideal second home. "I love it here," said Nancy Parker, a Quechee Lakes homeowner, "Quechee Lakes is wonderful because it has everything I like to do outdoors, plus a custom-designed home and five star service."

For more information, call 1-888-592-2224 or log on at http://www.quecheelakes.com.

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