Payne Family Homes - Blog

It’s getting to be that time of the year: the leaves have changed into vibrant colors, the temperatures are going from brisk to chilly and you’re putting together your list while Santa is deciding who is naughty or nice.

If you’ve been extra nice this year, a new home in St. Charles at The Lifestyle Series of The Enclave at Heritage will assuredly be a top your holiday wish list.

Tucked away in beautiful St. Charles County near Heritage Crossing and Highway 94, The Enclave at Heritage by Payne Family Homes sets the standard for spacious floor plans and lavish options.  With just 10 new home sites remaining that sit on two private cul-de-sacs available, this charming community offers elegance and privacy amid exquisite landscapes that are hard to beat. 

One such model is The Sycamore, a three-bedroom ranch with generous 2,176-square feet of living space that fits a variety of lifestyles.  The Sycamore features a wood burning fireplace, hardwood flooring and a deluxe kitchen that is equipped with stainless steel Whirlpool® appliances – just picture yourself enjoying a nice cup of hot cider on a cool fall evening.  This tremendous value is offered at an affordable price of $325,000.  And with The Sycamore being completed, it’s ready for you to immediately enjoy the upcoming holidays and all that the the community has to offer…RIGHT NOW!

Thanks to current mortgage trends, now is the perfect time to get great value the other homes at The Enclave at Heritage.  With interest rates as low as the 4s – and near record lows – the time to buy a new home like the well-appointed homes at The Enclave at Heritage is optimal.   Couple these great rates with our reduced pricing plans, moving into one of these beautiful homes has never been easier.

The Enclave at Heritage single-family style home model can be viewed daily at our Tuscany development just off Hemsath Road and Arena Parkway near the Page Avenue Extension in St. Charles County.  Please contact Community Sales Manager Brooke Bailey at (314) 220-2861 to set up an appointment for viewing this fantastic, highly customizable floor plan.

So make it home for the holidays…make it The Enclave at Heritage from Payne Family Homes!

We bet you didn’t think it could get any better with Payne Family Homes’ Bordeaux Condominiums, the fastest selling condos in Cottleville…well, it just did!

These stunning Condominium Homes, conveniently located off of Mid Rivers Mall Drive and Ohmes Road in Cottleville, Missouri, have just received a price reduction! Depending on the new home floorplan you’re interested in, Payne Family Homes has slashed prices by $18,000 and $27,000.

Bordeaux Condominiums are located within minutes of shopping, dining, and entertainment in the AAA-rated Francis Howell School District.  Thanks to their great location, amazing features and amenities, they are sure to sell FAST, especially at these prices! Stop in today and get prime selection!

Visit our Payne Family Homes online for additional information.

Julie Jones, community sales manager at Payne Family Homes’ The Pointe at Heritage Crossing and at Bella Vista in St. Charles County, has been named “New Home Salesperson of the Year” in the competition sponsored by the Home Builders Association of St. Louis & Eastern Missouri’s Sales & Marketing Council.

The prestigious annual award selects the top new home salesperson based on sales numbers, as well as challenges, community involvement and personal sales attributes.  From July 2009-June 2010, Jones was responsible for selling 22 homes, with a dollar volume of $5,140,277.
According to Ed Lott, vice president of sales and marketing, “Julie’s personable style and her knowledge of the business puts homebuyers at ease, so it is no surprise that she won this honor. We’re proud to have Julie on our team of professionals.”

Jones was also recently honored by the Home Builders Association of St. Louis & Eastern Missouri’s Sales & Marketing Council for having the largest total amount of homes closed and/or highest dollar volume sold from July 2009 to June 2010.

The HBA’s annual Sales & Marketing Merchandising and Advertising and Pacesetters Awards program recognizes professionals and companies who excel in the areas of sales and marketing in the home building industry. The prestigious annual award selects the top new home salesperson based on sales numbers, as well as challenges, community involvement and personal sales attributes. 

Lott also commented, “Julie closed 22 new homes over the past year, which is a company record. Her ability to guide homebuyers through the process of making one of the largest purchases of their lives makes her an outstanding member of the Payne Family Homes sales team.”

Jones is a graduate of Oakville High School and Southeast Missouri State University and has been in new-home sales for nearly 10 years. She joined Payne Family Homes in 2009 and was previously the Online Sales Consultant for a major St. Louis home builder. The Pointe at Heritage Crossing, located on Highway 94 in St. Charles, offers single-family homes and luxury villas priced from the 179,000s to $240,000s. Bella Vista is conveniently located just minutes from Highway 94 and the Page Avenue Extension in St. Peters and offers the all-new Lifestyle Series of single-family homes from the $180,000s.

To contact Julie Jones, call 314-482-0769 or visit www.paynefamilyhomes.com.

Lauren Johnson, community sales manager at Payne Family Homes’ Bordeaux Condominiums in St. Peters, has been named Rookie of the Year in the competition sponsored by the Home Builders Association of St. Louis & Eastern Missouri’s Sales & Marketing Council. 

The prestigious annual award selects the top rookie new home salesperson based on sales numbers, as well as challenges, community involvement and personal sales attributes.  From July 2009-June 2010, Johnson was responsible for selling 36 homes, with a dollar volume of $4,067,500.

Johnson also has been honored previously by the HBA, including earning its Sales & Marketing Council’s Seven Figure Award for New Home Sales and its New Home Top Sales Performance Awards of the Month for both units and dollars sold.

Johnson came to Payne Family Homes from McBride & Son, where she was a top salesperson and where she also earned the company’s Strategic Communications and Marketing Excellence Award.  Prior to that, Johnson was a real estate agent at Keller Williams Realty.

A resident of O’Fallon, Johnson is active in the Delta Gamma Alumni Association, where she is vice president Foundation and oversees the Delta Gamma Center for Visually Impaired Children.  She also is a member of the Gateway Interactive Marketing Association and the Public Relations Society of America, and has been involved in the current Amendment 3 campaign.

A graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia with a B.A. degree in communications and history, Johnson received her M.A. degree in communications from Webster University. 

According to Ed Lott, Payne Family  Homes Vice President of Sales & Marketing, “We are tremendously fortunate to have an exceptional talent like Lauren Johnson on our sales team.  Her sales figures are a definite testament to her success.  However, perhaps most important is her ability to relate to our customers and to make their new home buying experience as exciting and streamlined as possible.  We consistently get rave reviews about Lauren’s enthusiasm and helpfulness from our buyers.”

Payne Family Homes has eight well-located communities in St. Charles and St. Louis Counties.  Neighborhoods include Bordeaux Condominiums, Tuscany, The Pointe at Heritage Landing, The Enclave at Heritage, The Meadows at Ohmes Farm, The Townes at Belleau Creek, Bella Vista and Ashton Woods.  All Payne Family Homes neighborhoods are served by an AAA-rated school district and most are located in one of Money Magazine’s “100 Best Places to Live in America.”  For information, call 314-417-1218, or visit the ‘Contact Us’ page at www.paynefamilyhomes.com.

Meet “Busch Stadium Bill,” an ardent Cardinals fan, season ticket holder, and proud new homeowner at Bordeaux Condominiums, Payne Family Homes’ easy-maintenance community in Cottleville.

Bill Sanford has spent his entire 32-year professional career in Military Sales. As a retail sales representative for Nestle Food Company, his territory includes major military bases throughout Missouri and Illinois.

The father of three grown children, Bill had lived in a rental condo for the past decade and was ready for ownership again. When not on the road, he basically works from home, so his “shopping list” was very specific, starting with quick access to major highways.

Bill wanted the privacy of a smaller neighborhood and enough square footage to allow for both living and office space – plus his extensive collection of Cardinal memorabilia!

The carefree condominium lifestyle was essential. “I haven’t had to do any outside maintenance for ten years, so this was definitely a factor,” he stated. (And, of course, it gives him more time to indulge his passion for Cards games, workouts at the nearby St. Peters Rec-Plex, and other leisure activities.)

This past spring, the federal first-time homebuyer credit prompted Bill to make his investment. He’d read an ad for Bordeaux, researched Payne Family Homes, and visited the community in March, when the second of seven planned buildings was still under construction.

Purchasing early, Bill was able to select a first-floor unit (also on his “list”) with a fabulous view overlooking Bordeaux’s lake, fountains, and the adjacent Woodlands Sports Park and Tony Glavin soccer fields (another perk, since Bill’s a former soccer player).

Reflecting on his homebuilding experience, he describes community sales manager Lauren Johnson as “fantastic!” “And [superintendent] Bruce Wilson is a super guy – topnotch!” he adds. “I think very highly of him.”

When governmental red tape threatened to delay Bill’s June 30th closing deadline for the federal credit, Payne Family’s general manager, Scott Kerns, stepped in promptly to resolve the issue. “Everyone was just great!” Bill concludes.

Surrounded by autographed baseballs, framed photos of Cardinal greats, and a vast array of other team souvenirs, Bill has been enjoying his new home for three months – where he’s already greeted by neighbors as “Busch Stadium Bill.”

Bordeaux Condominiums is superbly located off Ohmes Road, 1/3-mile west of Mid Rivers Mall Drive. The award-winning community is distinguished by its Tuscan-inspired architecture, and each three-story building consists of only 12 garden-style condominiums.

Payne’s feature-packed 2-bedroom, 2-bath plans provide 1064 to 1257 square feet of living space, and a current promotion offers $10,000 off the base price of any to-be-built home in the third building, now under construction. Sale pricing starts from just $121,400.

Two move-in-ready inventories are also available and sale-priced in the recently completed second building. Both are top-floor homes and showcase a vaulted living/dining area. Another model has been halted at drywall, enabling its future owner to choose all interior finishes.

Covered parking may be purchased, and a modest monthly assessment provides residents with a host of exterior and common area services, including grounds care, snow and trash removal, and maintenance of the lake, fountains, and walking trail.

Bordeaux Condominiums is served by top-ranked Francis Howell schools, and the St. Charles Community College campus is literally within walking distance. For added convenience, Mid Rivers Mall Drive is lined with shopping centers; golf courses are instantly accessible; and the Mall is a mere five minutes away.

Payne Family Homes wants to thank Bill for sharing his story with us! If you are like Bill, and a Bordeaux Condominium would be a perfect fit for you, visit our ‘Contact Us’ tab for more information.

Created to give those who serve our country all the help they need when purchasing a new home, after they’ve served our country in such an amazing way, we wanted to remind everyone that the government has extended the Federal Housing Tax Credit to all qualified service members.

“Congress recognized that many service members may have missed out on the home buyer tax credit due to being posted overseas,” said National Association of Home Builders’ Chairman Bob Jones, a builder and developer in Bloomfield Hills, Mich. “It is only fitting that they be given another year to take advantage of this opportunity in appreciation of the sacrifices they have made serving our country.”

You have until April 30, 2011 (an additional year) to buy a home and claim the home buyer tax credit, which expired for most Americans on April 30, 2010.

Qualified service members who served on official extended duty outside of the United States for 90 days or more at any time between Jan. 1, 2009, to April 30, 2010, have until April 30, 2011, to place a contract on a home, and until June 30, 2011, to close! Best of all, both the $8,000 first-time and $6,500 repeat home buyer tax credits are included.

“Qualified service members” are defined as a member of the uniformed services of the United States military, a member of the Foreign Service of the United States, or an employee of the intelligence community.

In addition, some of the rules and regulations that come with the Federal Housing Tax Credit are also exempt for military families. The rule that requires buyers to repay the credit if they move out of their home within three years has also been waived for qualified service members if they have to sell their home due to receiving government orders for extended duty service.

So for many military families who are relocating to the St. Louis area after duty, or coming back to the area to reside, Payne Family Homes can help you find the perfect home for your lifestyle. We offer eight fantastic communities in St. Louis and St. Charles Counties featuring AAA-rated School Districts, convenient locations near major thoroughfares, shopping, dining and entertainment, and a variety of distinctive floor plans that are perfect for a variety of lifestyles.

The reasons behind your purchasing decision and how you will live in your home are important to us! Contact Payne Family Homes today and we’ll help you match your lifestyle and budget needs to a community and plan that will work for you. Click the “Contact Us” button at the top of our website or contact our Online Sales Consultant, Kelli Gould, at 314-477-1218 or via email at http://mailto:kag@paynefamilyhomes.com. We really appreciate all that you do for our communities and country and look forward to providing you with a joyful home buying experience!

Interested in more information? The NAHB provides more information on the home buyer tax credit, including eligibility requirements and links to home buying resources on its consumer website, www.FederalHousingTaxCredit.com.

“Everyone buys here for the location,” declares Brooke Bailey, Community Sales Manager for Tuscany, Payne Family Homes’ scenic residential enclave off Hemsath Road in St. Charles. “And the streetscape is gorgeous! With all the brick and stone, it has almost a Mediterranean flavor.”

Just a mile north of the Page Extension, Tuscany’s 53 homesites are configured around a single loop drive. To ensure variety, Payne has assembled a portfolio of 15 exquisite Estate Home designs, starting from the $240’s and providing up to 3388 square feet of living area.

On display is a sophisticated Milano story-&-a-half, the first version of this design ever built in a Payne Family community and noteworthy for its fine detailing. Plans are also underway for construction of a new display model to start this fall.

Karen and Mark Perkins came to Tuscany after “window shopping” new-home developments for quite a while. They’d owned a large two-story in Harvester for 12 years, but their eight children – four boys, four girls – were now grown and living all over the country. Despite economic conditions, this past spring seemed a good time to take advantage of the Federal tax credit and downsize to a ranch.

After touring another Payne Family community, the couple was referred to Tuscany – and, predictably, they fell in love with the location. “I call it our ‘lost kingdom,’” Mark quips. “It’s nestled in a perfect spot, extremely quiet and private. But during rush hour, it takes me less than a minute to get from the highway to our home.”

“Creve Coeur Park is just five minutes away,” Karen chimed in. “We enjoy kayaking on the lake and biking on the Katy Trail, too.”

Both considered Tuscany’s Napoli III ranch “real value for the money,” but ventured into the construction process with a certain amount of trepidation. They’d never built a new home but had heard disturbing stories from others who had.

Alternating sentences as longtime married couples do, they described their experience. “It was just the opposite with Payne. They understood that we wanted to stay within our budget. We were very selective about options and wanted to do some things ourselves.

“Brooke has a decorator’s taste and helped us make several personalized changes. And everyone is very professional, with a really good attitude about doing quality work in a timely fashion.”

An electrical engineer, Mark inspected every facet of the house with a critical eye. True, superintendent Dave Wilcoxen was a bit startled watching Mark crawl through the trusses, checking for possible leaks. Finding none, Mark concluded, “Payne does it right the first time!”

At home in Tuscany since the end of June, the Perkinses are already planning to finish their lower level for large family gatherings – a family that just welcomed a thirteenth grandchild, with a fourteenth expected in February.

For more information on the “secret kingdom” that is Tuscany, call 314-220-2861, or go to the ‘Contact Us’ page.

Did you know that Payne Family Homes’ beautiful and luxurious Bordeaux Condominiums could be purchased for a low monthly investment that comes out to be less than your current rent?

Bordeaux Condominiums is a stunning community located in convenient Cottleville, Missouri off of Mid Rivers Mall Drive and Ohmes Road. Each home features an appealing floor plan with 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms ranging from 1,064 to 1,257 square feet, with either a patio or deck so you can enjoy the great outdoors! The community is also located within minutes of shopping, dining, and entertainment in AAA-rated Francis Howell School District.

With plans for only seven buildings in the entire community, Bordeaux offers privacy and convenience in an intimate tree-lined setting. The Tuscan-inspired exterior architecture featuring stone, brick, stucco, and natural cedar elements make these impressive condos stand above and beyond most communities in the area. The lush landscape compliments the stunning architecture, offering a spectacular streetscape to the variety of homeowners that reside at Bordeaux.

Currently offered at Bordeaux are a variety of great buys including 533 Bordeaux Way, a Payne Family “Fast Move” Home, ready for occupancy now! This roomy 1,257 square foot 2 bedroom, 2 bath condo features vaulted ceilings in the living & dining rooms, a coffered ceiling in the Master Suite (both of which are benefits to all of Bordeaux’s 3rd floor units) posh sarsaparilla cabinetry, salt and pepper granite countertops, full size washer & dryer hookups in the spacious laundry room, and a gorgeous view of the community walking trail, lake and surrounding parks.

With these great features and amenities among many others, it’s hard to believe that units like 533 Bordeaux are available for less than your current rent! For as low as $889 per month, which includes all Homeowner’s Association Fees, taxes, insurance, and all utilities except electric, a stunning condo at Bordeaux could be yours! Also, by owning your own home, you can receive a tax deduction each year, which you are not able to do with renting. Concerned about a down payment? Payne Family Homes also accepts MHDC loans, where a homeowner is only required to come up with .5% down payment (subject to loan approval).

The convenient location, gorgeous exterior elevations, ability to choose your interior finishes, climate controlled interior home entrances and secure individual code entry access in each of the seven 3-story buildings make these condos one-of-a-kind in the St. Charles County area. If you’re thinking that owning a brand-new condo at Bordeaux may be within reach, visit us today and see why Payne Family Homes’ Bordeaux Condominiums are the fastest selling condominiums in the area!

October is here, the weather is changing and leaves are turning. The fall air brings along lots of fun activities in the St. Louis and surrounding areas. Payne Family Homes takes pride in each and every one of their communities and has carefully picked out the best places to live in the St. Louis area. These places not only provide great schools and amenities, but also display great activities for the whole family year round. Here are the top festivities and events going on in October, near our communities that can be fun for the whole family.

Columbus Day Celebration
Residents on “The Hill,” St. Louis’ famous Italian neighborhood, celebrate their rich history in October with the annual Columbus Day Parade and Festival. The parade starts at noon at Kingshighway and Southwest Ave. Everyone is invited to line the route and watch the floats, cars and bands go by. Then head over to Berra Park for an afternoon of food, music and fun.
October 10, 2010
The Hill, St. Louis. For more information, visit http://www.thehillstl.com/.

Oktoberfest
St. Louis also celebrates its German heritage in October with Oktoberfest. The celebration in Soulard is one of the fastest growing Oktoberfests in the country. There’s plenty of beer, food and music, plus activities for the kids and a Miss Soulard Oktoberfest pageant.
October 8 – 10, 2010
Soulard Oktoberfest.
For more information, visit
http://stlouis.about.com/od/topattractions/tp/Oktoberfest.htm.

Ottertoberfest at the Zoo
For a different kind of Oktoberfest celebration, make a visit to the St. Louis Zoo. Each year in October, the Zoo puts its own twist on the infamous German celebration with its own party, called Ottertoberfest. Kids can play games and learn about North American River Otters while mom and dad enjoy German food and beer in the biergarten. What’s even better is that admission is free.
October 2-3, 9-10 & 16-17, 2010
St. Louis Zoo.
For more information, visit
http://www.stlzoo.org/events/calendarofevents/ottertoberfest.htm.

Haunted Houses
There are several places to go when you want a real Halloween fright in St. Louis. The Darkness Haunted House in Soulard is ranked as one of the best in the country and draws big crowds every year. There’s also Creepyworld in Fenton and the Fear Factory in Old Monroe.
October 2010
Various Locations.
For more information, visit
http://stlouis.about.com/od/eventsfestivals/tp/haunted_houses_2009.htm.

Bob Dylan in Concert
The legendary Bob Dylan is coming to St. Louis. Dylan will perform with his band at Chaifetz Arena on the St. Louis University Campus. Tickets are $27 for students (must show valid student ID) and $47 for general admission.
October 21, 2010
Chaifetz Arena.
For more information, visit
http://thechaifetzarena.com/event_285.

Apple Butter Festival
The Apple Butter Festival is Kimmswick, Missouri’s largest celebration of the year. More than 100,000 visitors fill Market Street and the city park to sample apple butter and dozens of other foods. Hundreds of craft vendors sell their goods at booths around town. The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
October 30 & 31, 2010
Kimmswick. For more information, visit
http://www.gokimmswick.com/applebutter_festival.html.

Trick or Treat Street
Every year, one small block in South St. Louis hosts one of the area’s biggest Halloween celebrations. The block has actually earned the nickname of “Trick or Treat Street.” To join the fun, bring your kids to the 5300 block of Nottingham on Halloween night. Residents deck out their homes and dress in costumes for the thousands of visitors who descend upon the block by the car or bus load. It’s a fun and safe way for your children to enjoy the holiday. The block party officially runs from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
October 31, 2010
St. Charles.
For more information, visit
http://activerain.com/blogsview/1306850/trick-or-treat-on-main-street-st-charles-mo.

Apple Picking
Looking for a place to go apple picking this year? There are many places right in St. Charles county where you can find ‘pick your own’ apple orchards and apple farms. These apple farms offer the best apple picking so get some friends or family together and start picking apples in Saint Charles County!
October 2010
St. Charles County.
For more information, visit
http://www.americantowns.com/mo/saintcharles-county/news/saint-charles-county-apple-picking-orchards-and-apple-farms-guide-for-saint-charles-county-793511.

Campfire Storytelling Festival
Take the family to Boonesfield Village for “Halloween: Ghosts of the Past,” an evening of good old-fashioned fun. The flicker of candles and campfires highlight tours, music and tales designed to enchant. Marshmallows and cider will sweeten up the evening.
October 23, 2010
St. Charles County.
For more information, visit
http://www.greatriverroad.com/stcharles/stcharlesevents.htm.

While you’re out and about don’t forget to take a visit to any of our Payne Family Homes’ nine Communities in St. Louis and St. Charles County. From everyone at Payne Family Homes, have a blast this October!