From Hoboken to Clifton: A welcome change to Four Seasons at Great Notch
CLIFTON — Fred Schecter is one of those people who never imagined living in an active-lifestyle community. But after losing his wife in early 2015, he decided to make a move from their Hoboken high-rise apartment – a decision that ultimately landed him at K. Hovnanian’s Four Seasons at Great Notch Spa and Club, one of North Jersey’s most successful 55+ communities.
"After I lost my wife, I put our apartment up for sale," Schecter shared. "We had stayed in Hoboken because my wife needed to be near the PATH train to commute into the city for work. I work in Clifton, where my brother and I are partners in running Sommers Plastic, a company our father founded that’s been around since 1946. I wanted to find a place that was near our office but also near Manhattan and my two kids, both of whom live further south in Scotch Plains. I had seen K. Hovnanian’s Four Seasons at Great Notch high up on the hill in Clifton, but I didn’t know anything about the community. I looked them up online and went there one day on a lark to see what was up there."
What was up there was a community that immediately appealed to him. Set in a picturesque mountain rock quarry and surrounded by majestic cliffs, with spectacular views of the New York City skyline, K. Hovnanian’s Four Seasons at Great Notch offers an attractive combination of beautifully designed homes in a tranquil setting, with resort-style amenities, and a highly convenient location only 12 miles from New York City.
No one was more surprised than Schecter himself when he decided to buy his next home at K. Hovnanian’s Four Seasons at Great Notch on the spot. "I had seen this type of gated, 55+ community before and visited some in-laws who lived in similar housing," he recalled. "To be honest, I never thought it was the kind of community for me. But once I got there and saw the models, I was practically pre-sold. I’m a little bit spontaneous. When I walked through the models I was impressed with the size and realized I was only five to eight minutes from work. I was also so impressed with the geology of the place and how it adjoins this amazing cliff. I said, ‘Wow! I know this is the right place.’"
K. Hovnanian’s Four Seasons at Great Notch offers a variety of luxurious home designs, with floor-plans that appeal to almost every type of buyer, including attractive villa, garden and carriage-style homes. Each home is thoughtfully planned, with floor-plans that offer from 1,426 to 2,291 square feet of beautifully designed living space, including two bedrooms and two baths. Homes are priced from the upper-$300s (subject to change). All homes within the community are subject to an age-restriction whereby the homes are restricted to use. For occupancy of the homes in Clifton at least one person must be age 55 years or over. For occupancy of the homes in the community, up to 15 percent of the homes can be occupied where at least one person is age 50 or over. The remaining homes must have one person age 55 or over. There may be no permanent resident being under the age of 19 in the community.
Schecter chose a Riesling model, which he moved into this past summer. "I knew I needed a certain size home and the Riesling was ideal," he shared. "One priority was that I had enough space for a large wall unit we had that’s over ten feet long, plus a large couch, a baby grand piano, and other musical instruments. My place is just extraordinary! I’m so satisfied with it. I have a large two-car garage and a deck, which is a wonderful advantage. The fireplace is lovely, too. I’ve done a lot of planting outside and look forward to the bulbs popping out of the snow. I’ve entertained and had overnight guests and it’s worked out very well."
Homeowners at the community enjoy a variety of recreational amenities and social opportunities that are simply unsurpassed in the area. The community’s magnificent 25,000 square-foot clubhouse includes both indoor and outdoor pools, tennis and bocce courts, a putting green, billiards, card and craft rooms, and a fitness center. "I’ve been busy settling in, but I plan to get involved in the activities – to shoot some pool, maybe do some yoga. I like the idea of checking out the social clubs. When my in-laws visited, we played bocce and used the outdoor pool in the summer. My children love it here and my three grandchildren (I have one more on the way) always look forward to coming to visit!"
K. Hovnanian’s Four Seasons at Great Notch is also set in one of North Jersey’s most convenient locations. The community is privately tucked away and nicely removed from all the hustle and bustle of everyday life, yet within easy reach of major highways, such as Routes 3 and 46, Interstate 80, the Garden State Parkway and the New Jersey Turnpike. There is also a bus stop right at the entrance of the community, providing direct access to Port Authority.
As impressed as he was with the homes, the location and the geology of his new community, Schecter was equally impressed with the K. Hovnanian team that helped him through the process of buying and moving into his new home. "The whole process is just so well suited for those who are moving and maybe a little anxious and overwhelmed," he reflected. "Everyone was extremely helpful, from Kim and the team in the sales office to John, the construction manager, and Leslie in the design center. She helped me choose my upgrades and I have to say, when all is said and done, my home is quite the showcase. I chose a light wood flooring that was a brand-new option and it just shines. It’s absolutely beautiful. They even had an organizer come in and help me to put everything away after I moved in – something that I never expected, but was such an important touch. I’ve been so happy here. I’ve met a few neighbors and my neighbor directly across from me is so nice. Everyone is lovely. It’s very quiet here and a big, welcome change from all the noise I was used to in Hoboken. It’s truly been a place that I can look forward to calling home."
Visit K. Hovnanian’s Four Seasons at Great Notch Spa and Club, take a tour of the beautifully decorated model homes and the spectacular clubhouse – and see why more and more 55+ buyers are making the move to this one-of-a-kind active-lifestyle community. The community is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For directions or more information, call 888-354-1044, or visit www.khov.com/GreatNotch.
ABOUT HOVNANIAN ENTERPRISES, INC.
Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc., founded in 1959 by Kevork S. Hovnanian, is headquartered in Red Bank. The Company is one of the nation’s largest homebuilders with operations in Arizona, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Washington, D.C. and West Virginia. The Company’s homes are marketed and sold under the trade names K. Hovnanian Homes, Brighton Homes and Parkwood Builders. As the developer of K. Hovnanian’s Four Seasons communities, the Company is also one of the nation’s largest builders of 55+ homes.
Additional information on Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc., including a summary investment profile and the Company’s 2014 annual report, can be accessed through the "Investor Relations" section of the Hovnanian Enterprises’ website at www.khov.com. To be added to Hovnanian's investor email or fax lists, send an email to IR@khov.com or sign up at www.khov.com.