The Estates at Dames Park

By Shelly A. Schneider

Community News

November 14, 2001

            Two miles north of Interstate 70 in O’Fallon, Mo. Is a development of 46 homes- The Estates at Dames Park.  Builder Tom Huneke aptly described the neighborhood as a mixture of urban convenience and country beauty.

            “There are hills out here and lots of trees,” he said.  “The lots area good sized…bigger than what you would normally find in a subdivision.  They range in size from 10,000 to more than 16,000 square feet.”

            The Estates at Dames Park officially opened May of this year.  The homes range in price from $179,900 to $290,000.  Huneke said the homes are in the move-up category.

            “Business has been fantastic,” he said.  “ About one quarter of the people are moving here from the local area.  There are so many people who want to live north I- 70 and away from all the traffic.  And yet we’re just 22 minutes from Lambert International Airport.”

            The Estates at Dames Park is right across the street from the city’s newest park, Dames Park.  Huneke said there are football fields, a track, horseshoes, tennis court, pavilions, a walking trail, and a playground area.

            When Huneke decided to build a new community of homes in O’Fallon, he first did his homework.

            “We came out to O’Fallon and looked around, but really didn’t find anything that impressed us,” he said.  “We try to make our homes to resemble more like what you would see along Forest Park Expressway.  The returns on the bottom of the gables go back two feet.  The walkways are naturally curved and flare out when they come to the driveway and when they come to the front porch.  Everyone gets a first-class mailbox, and we give our home buyers 18-foot wide driveways instead of 16 feet.”

            Huneke Homes offers $37,450 in standard features, including architectural grade shingles, steep roof pitches, enclosed soffits and fasica, upgraded appliances and oak floors in the foyer.

            Union subcontractors make sure the home is constructed to exacting standards, and Huneke said he pays particular attention to finish work.

            “We hand make our own windowsills, and we use extra large spindles on the stairways,” he said.  “We have, I believe, the best painters and finishers in the business.  The drywall guys are terrific – you won’t find a corner that isn’t straight.  There is a full 8-foot pour in the basement, and we can apply atriums to any ranch plan.”

            All ranch, 1 ½ story and 2-story plans can be customized.  Huneke said the customer comes first.

            “We are the first and foremost customer-oriented,” he said.  “Product is number two, and the price is third.  We’re not quantity, we’re quality.  People who want to get out of their vinyl house and move into something with quality and style…here it is.”

            Huneke said zero overhead means a better value for the homeowner’s dollar.

            “My wife, Julia and I run the place,” he said.  “When people walk in the door they talk to the owner and when they negotiate with the owner and when they have questions they talk to owners.  If they have a problem I go myself and fix it.  That’s the way we do it here.  When we’re done we want them bringing in other people to buy from us.”

            In fact, new homeowners at The Estates at Dames Park have done just that.  Huneke said a few weeks back there were seven people in display home at the same time.

            “Julia couldn’t handle everyone at once, “ Huneke said.  “Fortunately, there were a couple of our homeowners there, too, and they started selling Huneke Homes for us.”

            The Estates at Dames Park is located on Hwy. P in O’Fallon, Mo.  Exit I-70 at Hwy. K/M and travel north two miles to Hwy P. Turn left on Hwy. P travel approximately ½ mile to development on the right.  Tom and Julia are there 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.  Stop by and see the more information call (636) 447-7797, or visit www.HunekeHomes.com.