Homebuyers are flocking to picturesque Audubon Woods, a leafy Weiss Homes subdivision with 50 home sites on the north side of St. Joseph County.

While the developer expected mostly empty-nesters in the community, early bird buyers look forward to a diverse neighborhood that includes young families and single professionals.

"I would love to see a good diverse crowd," says Todd Griffin, who moved in April 1. "I think it would be good for the first-time homebuyer all the way up to someone downsizing. It would be great for younger families. If could fit anyone's needs."

Debi Henke, Weiss Homes' community manager for Audubon Woods (www.weisshomes.com), says buyers in the neighborhood can choose to have villa-style yard services or not, a flexibility aimed at a broader market.

"When we opened, we were thinking more older folks, but it has been mostly the younger people that have moved in so far," including some with children, she says.

"We're going to make villa optional. You don't have to do the villa, but if they want the villa we're going to provide that," at a rate of $120 a month.

Home prices range from the $140,000s to the $300,000s, Debi says. The model, a 1,650-square-foot, three-bedroom ranch, is part of the Home Builders Association of St. Joseph Valley's Builders Showcase this month.

"What's nice about this community is it's wooded," Debi says. "We get very few wooded communities. Every home is going to have a wooded backyard. We're going to keep the natural tree line."

Four buyers are living in Audubon Woods, including two from nearby Georgetown Apartments, close enough to stay in the Clay school district. The subdivision also has municipal utilities.

"I saw this community and I saw it expanding and growing," says Debbie Blatt, a South Bend native who had moved back from Virginia and was living in Georgetown Apartments. "I decided I wanted to buy. I looked at a lot of pre-existing homes."

"Every time I drove past here it kind of pulled me in. I love this neighborhood. It's close to the schools. My daughter goes to Darden. She wants to be in performing arts, and Clay High School has a performing arts magnet program. It's a great neighborhood."

Building a new house gave her unexpected insights into the place where she lives.

"It's interesting to move into a new home community and learn all the things that go with new home construction," Debbie says. "I watched it grow. I watched my house being built from the ground up. I came over every day."

"I got to see how it was built from the basement framing and everything. Behind walls, I can tell you where all the wiring is. It was a fun process. When you buy an existing home, you don't know unless you tear down a wall or move a wall what's behind the walls of the home you're buying.

She watched Red Hen Turf Farm workers unroll sod from their truck to give her an instant-green lawn. Now she's thinking about buying another lot and build for her parents, who also live in Georgetown Apartments.

Buying early into a subdivision also gives you a chance to see the community grow, Debbie and Todd say.

"We all know each other in the neighborhood, right now," she says.

"Audubon is a great subdivision," Todd says. "The scenery's beautiful. It has the mature trees. It's a very quality built home. The price range, I believe, is affordable. They have a good warranty with the homes. Hopefully, it turns into a really nice neighborhood."