Finding peace at the end of the day is a pivotal part of maintaining one’s wellbeing. With this thought in mind, homeowners Jim and Susie Devney poured their hearts into building a home that not only delivers function and comfort, but also a serene escape from the weight of life’s everyday stresses. “After a long day of work, you can finally breathe once you get here,” Susie Devney explained. “You look out at the water and drop your anxieties. It’s good for your soul.”
The Devneys’ time at Newport Landing began long before this home was built. Over a decade ago, the family built its first home on Bennington Lake where the Devneys raised their children and made unforgettable memories together. After the kids moved out, the Devneys decided to sell their home and leave the lake. However, it wasn’t long before the lake was calling them back. “We weren’t gone for a month and Jim came home one day and said he bought a lot,” Susie Devney said. “I said, ‘A lot of what?’ and he said, ‘A lot across from our old house—we have to go back to the lake.’”
While initially surprised, she quickly warmed up to the idea and the couple began their third custom build process, which took a little over two years to complete. The Devneys worked with Arjay Builders to construct the upscale transitional home. “It was the best experience from start to finish,” Susie Devney said.
Every room of the home features spectacular lake views. The main level includes a grand great room, a gourmet kitchen complete with a large pantry and custom cabinetry, and an indoor grill room equipped with a pizza oven, industrial vent, refrigerator, and sink that can be used year-round with access to the patio.
Additionally, a Lutron lighting system and a sound system throughout the 5,852 square foot home provide added convenience. Just a few steps outside, the covered deck, furnished with a fireplace, welcomes relaxation as sights and sounds of nature set the scene. “It is such a welcoming home,” said Jenn Weikel, realtor with Nebraska Realty and listing agent for the property. “Every space epitomizes togetherness.”
Weikel, who also lives on the lake, enjoys showing the back side of the home from her own boat so that potential buyers can receive the full effect of the picturesque location. “It’s been great to work with Jenn because she really cares about what she’s doing and she is so personable and educated, especially when it comes to lake living,” Devney said.
Much to her delight, the home’s luxurious primary bedroom suite features a two-story closet that is perfect for tucking away a collection of clothes, handbags, shoes, and more. An avid baker, Devney also enjoys the baking center in the dining area that she so lovingly crafted. Jim Devney, on the other hand, is fond of the spacious six-car garage and the home’s lower level that was intentionally designed for unwinding. The space features a large living area, bar, exercise room, finished safe room, and additional bedrooms with private ensuites. The backyard is another favorite element for Jim Devney, as he sketched the plan for the space with the help of Mulhall’s.
The home’s knife-edge pool with fountains, heated outdoor dining and living area, and lakefront views offer a relaxing spot for hosting large gatherings. “Sometimes you forget you are in Nebraska because the views with the boats going by are so stunning,” Susie Devney said.
Lake living is never dull, according to the Devneys, especially when fishing, tubing, jet skiing, wake boarding, or walking the trail are just some of the possibilities. The community also hosts various events such as “Kayaks and Coffee,” cove floats, Bingo nights, and fishing tournaments just to name a few. Their favorite event every year is the professional 4th of July fireworks show, which is choreographed to music. “We literally have the best view of the show right from our back yard,” Devney said.
The community is one of the aspects that make this home so unique, Susie Devney explained, and she will miss watching her neighbors wave from their boats on the water. The location—conveniently situated right across the lake from the home where they raised their children and just 15 minutes from their jobs in central Omaha—will always remain a special place for the Devneys.
For 14 years, Bennington Lake has been home, but now Arizona is waiting with a new adventure for the Devneys. The couple is confident the right homeowner will find their way to this property. “I hope someone walks in, takes a deep breath, and says, ‘Wow, this is beautiful, they really thought of everything,’” Susie Devney said. “I hope that they love the home as much as we have.”
For more information or to schedule a private showing, contact Jenn Weikel, realtor with Nebraska Realty, at 402-616-4556.
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