Photo by Alex Loren
High-end luxury mountain and rustic homes that reflect the Sandpoint lifestyle
By Jillian Chandler
While growing up, John Stark found himself drawn to real estate. Shortly after graduating college, he invested in a couple rental properties, but he was not enjoying this aspect of real estate as much as he had hoped. He decided to become a Realtor and has been licensed for the past 24 years.
After moving to Sandpoint three years ago, one of John’s first real estate deals was with Tom Puckett of Realm Partners. “I liked how Realm did business,” John recalls. “I tried going it alone but decided I wanted to be with a well-known, reputable Broker, and Realm fits that to a T. Plus they do most of the luxury market. I like that and like them, and our relationship started there.” John joined the brokerage in 2023.
John is excited to share The Oxbow development, a beautiful project within The Idaho Club and the vision of Kevin Murray and Todd Vorhes, owners of Fairway Homes. “This self-contained community is unique in that it is its own subdivision within The Idaho Club,” John adds. Offering Oxbow homeowners a designated private common area, with wetland access and pier, and an easy walk to the Clubhouse. “All homes are on open space and/or the golf course, with no immediate neighbors behind you,” Kevin adds. “That, to me, is important.”
Established in 2019, Fairway Homes specializes in building high-end mountain and rustic homes that fit in with the Sandpoint lifestyle. Kevin and Todd have a combined 50-plus years of building experience, and they pride themselves on being customer-experience and customer-service oriented contractors.
“Ever since college, I had an interest in construction, land development and creating neighborhoods, which I’ve done for my entire professional career,” Kevin reflects. “Fairway Homes bought some platted acreage in The Idaho Club and created our own community there; we developed the Oxbow ourselves. Starting with land development and creating higher-end comfortable homes is what we are really all about.
”This individual project within The Idaho club has 17 lots (which range in size from 7,000 to 13,000 square feet) — two of which have sold, a staged model (available for sale), with two more homes expected to be completed and available by early August and early September, respectively. The properties come with the backing of the Homeowners Association, so residents don’t need to worry about landscaping and snow removal. The staging of the model home was done by Tin Roof, and the buyer has the option to purchase all of the furnishings as well, making it an ideal turn-key property. Tin Roof is also offering furnishing packages for Oxbow homeowners.
“When you walk into one of Fairway’s homes, you can see the difference. Though it’s not a ‘custom’ home, per se, it feels like one,” notes John.
Attention to detail, product backing and customer service is what truly sets Fairway Homes apart from other luxury builders, as well as being one of the only high-end speculative builders in and around Sandpoint. In addition, Fairway Homes provides a third-party warranty with their homes, which is not offered by many.
In addition to The Oxbow, Fairway Homes has an active community in Clark Fork called Cottonwood Station. There are 17 lots that are mixed use for commercial, neighborhood and residential. “We’re selling shops that you can also live in, shop/home type setup, where you can live and work in your space,” John says. There is currently one shop standing right now that is available, with the rest to be built. Those who prebuy can customize their space.
When it comes to what Kevin and Todd find most rewarding when it comes to the work they do, Kevin shares, “We take a lot of pride out of the finished project and handing it over to somebody. And I can honestly say this: It’s providing a quality home to people who ultimately are happy with their purchase. Our warranty requests are almost zero in this company, and that’s pretty cool. We have happy customers.”
Those interested in touring The Oxbow or Cottonwood Station are encouraged to reach out to John, via phone or email, to schedule a tour.
John Stark, Associate Broker
Realm Partners
208.603.8196
