Payne Family Homes - Blog

ST. LOUIS, MO (May, 2013) – A group of St. Louis’ largest home builders has announced a new stimulus program that focuses on putting people back to work and giving consumers a great deal.

The promotion is called The Neighborhoods Built by Your Neighbors Program. It is a fund created by a consortium of local St. Louis Unions to help stimulate new home ownership. The program is exclusive to St. Louis Union Homebuilding Partnership members.

Partnership members are Bridgewater Communities, Dettmer Homes, Fischer & Frichtel, McBride & Son Homes, McKelvey Homes, Payne Family Homes and Simon Homes.

“This program is a testament to the relationship between St. Louis’ leading home builders and its Union trade partners,” said John F. Eilermann Jr., Chairman and CEO of McBride & Son Companies. “And most importantly it shows how the best way to stimulate our local economy and get people working again is to all work together.”

The program, which runs only during the month of May, provides cash to buyers for use at closing. Cash amounts range from $2,000 to $10,000 based on the sales price of the home. It is limited participating builder’s communities in Missouri.

“It’s real cash for use at closing and it’s in addition to St. Louis Union Homebuilding Partnership Builder’s best deal  ,” stated Jim Brennan, owner of McKelvey Homes. “It’s really an amazing deal for buyers.”

Eight local unions are contributing to the fund which allows for an average $5,000 per home. Certificates will be distributed on a first come basis.

“Our local Unions have made a big investment in getting people back to work,” said Ken Kruse, president of Payne Family Homes. “They have committed $1,150,000 in cash for use at closing to home buyers. That really says a lot.”

The Union contributions are based upon man hours by trade on an average St. Louis home. 

“ “This program is about neighbors coming together to make a difference.,” stated Ted Dettmer president and CEO of Dettmer Homes.  “That fact is when Union trades people are working they are buying other goods and services and the economy grows.”

Barry Simon of Simon Homes agreed, “It is a great testament to the ‘can do’ spirit in St. Louis homebuilding. We are excited to be a part of it.”

The Neighborhoods Built by Your Neighbors Program is exclusive to Partnership members, limited to Missouri communities and runs only during May 2013.

“We are proud to be a part of this program; it gets the economy moving and gives unprecedented deals for buyers,” said Bridgewater Communities president Tim Miller.

Participating unions include: Carpenters District Council of Greater St. Louis, International Union of Painters & Allied Trades District 2, Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 562, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1, Sheet Metal Workers Local 36, Greater St. Louis Construction Laborers and International Union of Operating Engineers Local 513.

The Neighborhoods Built by Your Neighbors Program is only during May 2013. See www.STLUnionBuilders.com for details or contact Payne Family Homes directly at 314-477-1218.

Payne Family Homes is proud to announce their membership in the St. Louis Union Homebuilding Partnership!

Together, with 7 other area builders, we heave teamed with the area’s local unions for The Neighborhoods Built by Your Neighbors Program.  The program’s fund is created by a consortium of local St. Louis Unions to help stimulate new home ownership and provides credits to new home purchasers valued between $2,000 and $10,000 to use at closing.  The credits are based on the contract price of the home and certificates are awarded to home purchasers on a first come first served basis. 

We’re very excited about this program and couldn’t be more grateful to the participating unions: Carpenters District Council of Greater St. Louis, International Union of Painters & Allied Trades District 2, Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 562, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1, Sheet Metal Workers Local 36, Greater St. Louis Construction Laborers, International Union of Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers, International Union of Operating Engineers Local 513 and Cement Masons Local 527.

Thinking of purchasing a new home this month?  Better act fast!  Our funds are limited in this program–so stop by any of our communities to find out more information! Or

*This offer is valid on firm purchase agreements while funds are available 2/6/12 through 2/29/12.

Courtesy of the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB), we thought we’d share some positive news about the housing industry!  Nationally, single family housing starts posted a 9.4% gain to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 453,000 units in June, their best pace since November of 2010.  Starts activity improved across every region in country in June, with the Midwest posting a 25.3 percent gain. Great news!

To read the entire news release from the NAHB, please click here.

There’s no time to waste for anyone interested in owning a home in The Estates of Uthoff Valley, Payne Family Homes’ newest offering in Fenton.  The upscale development opened for sales on April 16 and by mid-May was already half-sold!

So, what’s attracting buyers to Uthoff Valley?  Quite simply, everything!  According to community sales manager Donna Cusumano, the landscape is “gorgeous” and showcases a considerable amount of mature trees and common ground.

The cul-de-sac neighborhood has no through-streets and is tucked above and between the city’s RiverChase Recreation Center and picturesque Westside Park.  Walking/biking trails lead from the community entrance to both popular recreational venues.

Uthoff Valley’s 14 generous walkout and in-grade homesites vary in size from approximately one-third to two-thirds of an acre, creating dramatic settings for Payne’s exciting Lifestyle II design collection.  “These sites are absolutely stunning!” Cusumano enthused.  “Every one is unique and has its own distinctive qualities.”

Due to the phenomenal sales pace, no display is planned for the community, which is being marketed from the builder’s display center at nearby Ashton Woods in Eureka.  But shoppers will soon be able to see the streetscape taking shape.  This month, construction of the first four customer-owned homes and an inventory model will begin at Uthoff Valley.

These initial homes will represent four of the six Lifestyle II designs offered, emphasizing the portfolio’s broad-based appeal.  “With so much variety, this neighborhood is going to have fabulous curb appeal,” Cusumano noted.

Starting from $319,900, the ranch, story-&-a-half, and 2-story plans provide three or four bedrooms and 2028 to 3388 square feet of living area.  Most include a 3-car tandem garage with the option of a 4-car version, and even owners with fewer vehicles appreciate the additional space, which can be used for any number of purposes, including motorcycle or boat storage or a workshop.  

Homes in the Lifestyle collection are distinguished by their stylish elevations, outstanding utilization of space, light-filled interiors, and well-planned, open kitchens.  The for-sale inventory will be a 3090-square-foot “Montego II” story-&-a-half with four bedroom and 2-1/2 baths, scheduled for delivery in early October.

“Uthoff Valley’s location is another huge attraction,” Cusumano added.  “Just minutes south of I-44 and less than a half-mile east of Bowles Avenue, everything you could possibly need is virtually at your doorstep.”  The community is served by the award-winning Rockwood School District, and Uthoff Valley Elementary is within walking distance.

For more information, click here and Donna welcomes inquiries at 314.565.8465.

Buying a home is undoubtedly one of the biggest (if not the biggest) financial decisions you will make in your lifetime. Often associated both with excitement and uncertainty, it’s a decision that certainly requires significant amounts of time, effort and confidence (okay, and money). But as they say, the first step is always the hardest. So with the help of the Home Buying Institute, we compiled a short list of signs that will help you know whether 2011 is your year to buy.

You’re doing your homework. You have taken the time to research the local housing market for your current (or future) city. Was the market in the majority that bottomed out during the housing bust, or was it lucky enough to stay relatively stable? Keeping track of recent trends and current conditions will only help you try to predict how the coming year will play out and to find the home of your dreams.

You’re an expert at mortgage options. Okay, so you don’t have to be an expert—but you’ve assessed your short- and long-term plans and have decided whether a fixed or adjustable rate mortgage is best for you. If this home is to be yours for the long term, consider the fixed rate; if it’s a shorter-term investment, it may be worth the calculated risk of an ARM.

This is the right move. You’ve considered all other options, and the thought and logic behind owning your own new home is the best decision for you at this time. The thrill and excitement of owning your own home matches perfectly with the house you have chosen!

Again, there are many other signs that can help you decide whether 2011 is the right time to buy for you. Are you planning to buy in 2011? If so, what factors helped you make this decision?

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.

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!