Offering Affordable Dream Homes      
Thomas Dostal Developers

An awe-inspiring three-seasons porch and other features worthy of a dream home combine with down-to-earth expertise at Thomas Dostal Developers. The Cedar Rapids-based company has more than 25 years of experience in custom-built homes, with clients citing the professionalism, honesty and care expressed by the home-building team.

A prime example of Thomas Dostal Developers’ attention to detail is located at 4116 Pro Farmer Rd. SW, in Cedar Rapids. Stately cream-colored columns define the front entrance, along with an extra-high barrel vault entryway that extends into the home’s interior.

“It’s unique,” said company owner Randy Dostal, adding that some of the building features are popular in Florida, but rare in Iowa. “This is what we build. You just don’t see this up here.”

A cascading crystal light fixture adds an impressive elegance to the 18-foot-high indoor entrance, which Dostal said was used to continue the theme with other circular elements of the home.

“We’re trying to soften the lines so it’s not so linear,” he said. The look succeeds, with other touches to soften modern lines throughout the home. Acacia Japanese rosewood flooring in the kitchen, for example, contrasts with the ultra-modern look of the refrigerator and other appliances, to create a rustic feel that carries over to the mission-style cabinets in knotty alder wood. The knots provide a unique distressed look to the cabinetry to also offer a rustic charm.

A fishtank in the sitting room, just off the entrance, sports soft lights that turn on at night. The sitting room itself offers a space for relaxing or visitors, with its location as part of the popular open-floor plan. Retro ceiling fans continue the circular theme of the home’s details, while the granite countertops’ earth tones in the kitchen contrast with a modern silver “fireworks” light fixture.

Just off the kitchen, 20-foot-wide sliding glass doors open onto a 50-foot-wide three-seasons porch with spectacular views for nature-lovers or anyone seeking a relaxing in-home getaway, complete with a hammock and hanging canvas “Sky” chairs that can easily lull a person to sleep.

The porch — large enough for a party — substantially increases the square footage of the 3,000-plus square-foot home, while the sliding doors can allow a cross-breeze of fresh air into the house.

Just off the porch, a smaller grilling porch is located outdoors to offer a convenient spot to grill. Dostal noted that clients rarely want decks anymore, due to the high maintenance of power washing, staining and sealing.

The home also features an elevated gazebo with a hot tub, “just for fun,” Dostal said. Outdoor solar planters light up in various colors at night, adding a festive feel to the spot, which overlooks the backyard. All of the home’s lighting uses LED or CFL bulbs, to provide high energy efficiency.

A bedroom with its own bathroom are on the main floor, along with the master bed and bath. The master bedroom features a unique double-coffered crown molding ceiling and tiered LED lights. Eight-foot-tall mission-style doors give the rooms a spacious appearance, while windows offer natural lighting.

The closet features a drop zone to keep smart phones and other devices charged and out of the way, and a bedside light switch provides convenience for readers who don’t have to get out of bed to shut off the light at night.

Dostal has found a niche with providing ADA-compliant bathrooms, featuring grab bars, zero-step entries into the shower and upscale designer shower curtains in lieu of high-maintenance doors. Toilets are flushed with the wave of a hand and doors have levers instead of doorknobs.

He used the same approach for the laundry room, where the washer and dryer sit on pedestals that require minimal bending to use, for people with back issues. Spaces are wide enough to allow a walker or even a wheelchair to be used throughout the home.

The same is true in the lower level, which features a game room, bedroom and bath. A lower-level garage offers plenty of space for mowers and other lawn equipment. The home also features a geothermal system and whole-house humidifier, as well as a heat recovery ventilation system for energy efficiency.

High-tech features include a surveillance security system; LiftMaster garage door opener for the three-car garage and Sonos wifi stereo system. Remote locks allow the homeowner to unlock a door from anywhere, just by using a smart phone.

Even with all of the amenities, Dostal notes that potential clients still need financing to become homeowners. With that in mind, Thomas Dostal Developers offers a Rent Busters program.

In many cases, he noted, the amount of a mortgage payment can be the same or less than renting. Dostal offers clients suggestions on how to improve their credit score in language they can understand and ways to shop for the best mortgage, to help them build a home they can both love and afford.

Learn more at: www.thomasdostaldevelopers.com or call: (319) 431-3881.