Payne Family Homes - Blog

Wedding bells will be ringing for Joel Lester and Saretta Wade at the Jewel Box in Forest Park on October 7, with Saretta’s 9-year-old daughter Alexis proudly serving as junior bridesmaid.  (Correction! – that’s nine-and-a-half, according to this vivacious, articulate 4th-grader.) Joel is a native St. Louisan.  Saretta was born and raised in Tupelo, Mississippi.  So, how did this stunning young couple meet back in 2008?  Silly question in today’s cyber-world! – on the Internet, of course.  And how did they find their gorgeous new Payne Family Home in The Pointe at Heritage Crossing?  Well, that story is a bit more complicated…

Saretta had already moved to the St. Louis area, where she’s employed as a labor and delivery nurse for St. John’s Hospital.  Joel is a Web and graphic designer for AT&T and a talented part-time photographer.  Once “matched,” the two found themselves going in opposite directions, each relocating to and from Atlanta at different times.  Eventually, though, they decided to marry and put down roots in St. Louis. Finding the right home for their family-to-be was at the top of the priority list.  But Joel was still in Atlanta, and Saretta was living in St. Charles.  So, Joel arranged for a local Realtor to do the legwork, then Saretta would tour the suggested homes.  Staying in the Francis Howell School District was important to mom, and easy commuter access was a must for this busy professional couple.

 From her first visit to the sales center at The Pointe, Saretta was impressed by the warm welcome she received from community sales manager Julie Jones and her staff.  And the two-story Breckenridge display was love at first sight!  “It was exactly what we wanted – big, open, and free-flowing,” Saretta recalls.  “From that moment on, nothing else measured up.”

 The couple made relatively few alterations to the basic floorplan, but were amazed by Payne Family’s willingness to personalize, saying, “Most other builders wouldn’t let us make any changes.” Joel flew in to finalize the contract on Valentine’s Day (symbolic?), and construction began under the meticulous supervision of builder Dave Wilcockson.  Once reestablished back in St. Louis, Joel visited the site every day.  Both he and Saretta appreciated the friendliness of Payne’s field personnel, who always invited them to inspect the home’s progress and quality, insisting, “This is your house!”

 When asked to describe the best aspects of their homebuilding experience, the pair chime, “The company’s timeliness, flexibility, and the personable treatment we received.  Even our Realtor was singing Payne’s praises!”

 ”We were very happy with Dave,” Saretta added.  “At the beginning, all we worried about was getting moved in before the wedding, but the house was actually completed ahead of schedule.”  And all three are delighted with every facet of their new home. One of the Breckenridge’s four spacious bedrooms serves as Joel’s office, the other as guest accommodations.  Saretta loves her second-floor laundry, and the unique kitchen flooring is a highlight for Joel.  Alexis has started school, found several neighborhood playmates, and is thrilled with the color of her room (a yummy shade of her favorite blue called “Dazzle”).

Just glowing in front of their new Breckenridge at The Pointe!

What amazing work Joel does!

So, all that’s left is to wish this lovely family a joyous wedding and every blessing as they begin their new life together.

Just two minutes from the juncture of Highway 94 and the Page Extension, The Pointe at Heritage Crossing is one of our most successful residential communities, featuring single family homes from $177,900 and attached & detached villas from the mid-$160s.  For more informatio

n on plans offered at The Pointe, please click here or connect with our Online Sales Consultant by clicking here.

Payne Family Homes 1st ever Summer Signing Sale has been underway for just over 3 weeks, and what a success it has been!  Over 20 buyers have chosen a Payne Family Home as their new place to call home in the past three weeks across the St. Louis Metro Area.  The best incentives ever offered at Payne Family Homes are still available for the next six days for anyone looking to purchase an inventory home or build their dream home! 

For specific incentive details, please contact Online Sales Consultant, Ashley, at 314.477.1218 or click here to request more information.  You may also click the below links for incentives per community.

Ashton Woods, Eureka, MO

Bella Vista, St. Peters, MO

Belleau Creek, St. Peters, MO

Bordeaux Condominiums, Cottleville, MO

Boulder Ridge, Wentzville, MO

The Enclave at Heritage, St. Charles, MO

Ohmes Farm, St. Peters, MO

The Pointe at Heritage Crossing-Single Family Homes, St. Peters, MO

The Pointe at Heritage Crossing-Villas, St. Peters, MO

Tuscany, St. Charles, MO

The Estates of Uthoff Valley, Fenton, MO

Hurry!  Time is running out!  If you’re looking in Eureka, Fenton, St. Charles, St. Peters, Cottleville, or Wentzville-Now is the Time!

“Terrie, you deserve this!” chorused Terrie DuHadway’s friends as they lifted champagne flutes and toasted her mid-November move into a stunning new detached luxury villa in The Pointe at Heritage Crossing, Payne Family Homes’ multi-product neighborhood in St. Peters.

Terrie’s response illustrates the gracious personality of this world-traveling professional and proud mother of three. “The best reward,” she replied, “is to live the way you want to.”

An executive publisher of medical journals with Elsevier, Terrie raised her children, now all in their twenties, in a large two-story home in St. Charles County. By the fall of 2009, the youngest was off to college, and Terrie was ready for a more manageably-sized home-– one that would free her from yardwork, allow her to enjoy the “empty-nester” lifestyle, and still provide plenty of space for entertaining, family gatherings, and the collegians coming home for school breaks.

Accompanied by a close friend, Terrie embarked on an exhaustive new-home search. The Pointe was one of their first stops, and Terrie found herself returning again and again. “I fell in love with the open floorplan of the Cape Cod ranch display, and nothing else ever compared,” she recalls.

Last spring, she made her purchase decision and, in spite of the slow housing market, her existing home sold quickly. Another good friend welcomed Terrie, her dog Isabelle, and cat Paco as house guests while the Cape Cod was under construction, a kindness for which Terrie is most grateful.

What followed was a picture-perfect homebuilding experience. According to Julie Jones, community sales manager for The Pointe, “Terrie is the homeowner we wish we had every time! She has great taste and a terrific sense of humor. When I stopped by with her housewarming gift, she even had gifts waiting for us!”

Terrie was equally appreciative of Jones’ expertise, saying, “The choices [with Payne Family] are endless, and Julie could visualize exactly what I wanted. It was fun!”  Superintendent Dave Wilcoxen earned similar accolades. “Dave went through every detail with me! After meeting with him, I knew my house would be built well and built right.”

Terrie personalized a few design elements, chose a contemporary décor, and finished the villa’s lower level with an optional recreation area, sewing studio, and a third bedroom suite (dubbed the “man cave”) for her son. Progress photos were sent to the kids regularly via phone (the newly-dug foundation was humorously labeled “our hole”), and future neighbors stopped by the site often, assuring Terrie that she would love living in The Pointe.

The elegant villa was completed in time for a gala Thanksgiving celebration. “My kids are thrilled,” she concludes, “and I feel like I’m living in a luxury vacation home!”

Blessed with a wonderful family, great friends, treasured pets, and a gorgeous new home, Terrie DuHadway is enjoying the “best reward”… living just the way she wants to in The Pointe.

Fiscal conservation is all the rage these days, isn’t it? And as Old Man Winter begins to bear down on us, energy conservation becomes equally as important for homeowners whom are trying to save as much energy and money as possible.

Payne Family Homes knows how critical it can be to save even the smallest of amounts on your home heating costs. We want to share with you some conventional energy-saving tips that can make your bills more bearable and your holidays happier!

• 68 is your new favorite number. Setting your thermostat to 68 degrees will allow your system to use less energy by operating less. And as you leave the house or head upstairs for bed, don’t hesitate to turn the thermostat down an additional 5 degrees to conserve additional energy. There is no use in using the heat when no one is home or awake. You can also purchase an inexpensive programmable thermostat to automatically adjust your home’s temperatures when you are sleeping our out of the home.

• Here comes the sun. Little darling, take advantage of what Mother Nature has to offer—free sunlight. Open your south-facing window shades or coverings to let natural light in. At the same time, make sure those that cannot receive sunlight are closed. Close all the coverings at night to retain the heat and insulate from drafts.

• Something scary is in your attic. That would be the lack of insulation that’s haunting you in the wintertime. Insulating your attic is an investment, but it’s also one of the most cost-effective methods to save costs in your home. Depending on what you plan to insulate (walls, crawlspace, etc.), you may need a contractor for assistance or consultation.

• Payne can be a good thing! Payne Family Homes is working hard for our customers. Our Lifestyle Series offers an energy savings package which includes higher efficiency furnace and higher seer air conditioner, low-E windows, digital programmable thermostat, power cost monitor and higher r-values in the ceiling insulation. We try to practice what we preach, so feel free to contact us with any questions about our energy saving applications!

Of course, regardless of the home you’re in, there are other daily subtle changes that can help. Using cold water in your washing machine, running the dishwasher only when completely full, and closing the fireplace damper when not in use are effective and routine tasks that can save you money.

What are other ways you can save energy and prepare your home for the wintertime?

Here at Payne Family Homes we’re all about getting outside, enjoying nice weather and staying active. But when the freezing temperatures and precipitation have other ideas, we have to adjust accordingly throughout the winter. Trust us—it’s not always easy entertaining kids, pets or even that spouse of yours when you’re all sharing the same space.

So when you’re occasionally “stuck” inside that beautiful Payne home of yours, here are a few ideas on how to entertain in other ways.

• Channel your inner Emeril. That’s right—you don’t have to be Martha Stewart’s relative to take up cooking as a hobby. With every resource now at your fingertip (Food Network, online cookbooks, etc.), make a point to learn a new meal or snack every week or so. And if you have kids, put them to work—create a “Feed the Family” night where one child cooks for the family. Yes, you can help them if they’re only 10! It’s a great way to bond with your family or loved ones.

• Have kids? Have a camp-out! Who said you can only camp outside? Turn your living room into your own campground with blankets, games, family movies, and even tents. Suddenly your fireplace is your source for cooking dinner and making s’mores (okay, you can still use the kitchen for dinner). Use your imagination!

• Everyone has that one room. You know you have it—that one room that needs a cleaning badly. Whether it’s a paint job, a plaster job or even just throwing things out—this is the time to do it. Because once spring rolls around, you’ll have one less room to worry about… and a bit extra time to spend outside in the sun!

• Stimulate that brain of yours. There are countless ways to keep sharp when trapped indoors. Puzzles, crosswords and online trivia can help you keep mentally fit and entertained at the same time. Pick up that dusty book that’s been under your nightstand for months. And we’re not ignoring TV—watch shows on the History Channel or Discovery Channel if you’d like! No knowledge is useless knowledge.

• Finally…time to unpack. We know, we know—no new homeowner likes to unpack everything.But what better time than when you’re stuck inside with all of your things? Make it enjoyable with music and snacks, or make it a contest with another friend you know moving in elsewhere. Perhaps the first family or couple to unpack wins a bet (we’re not encouraging gambling… but you get the idea!). Hey, it has to get done sometime, right?

While these are all entertaining suggestions, we want to hear from you! What are some other in-home activities you can use during the cold winter weather?

Ah, ‘tis the season in St. Louis.

The holiday season isn’t something that can always be described with words, can it? There is just something about reuniting with family, or even just becoming closer to those around you—on your street, in your neighborhood, around the city—that isn’t always there the other 11 months of the year. The holidays have a way in breeding community and creativity that truly brings people together.

So as the holidays approach, Payne Family Homes wants to share some subtle yet creative holiday decoration ideas that can help bring your entire Payne home together:

• Rockin’ Around the… Mailbox? Cars will come and cars will go, but the first thing they may notice from the road is a beautifully decorated and/or lit mailbox or light post. A simple mix of evergreen branches and white lights can give off a festive and inviting feel to passersby. Don’t want to wait for the snow? You can even add some of your own, if you’d like!

• Baby it’s Cold Outside… so we’re not going to be sitting on our bench out there, are we? Instead, use it as a decorative prop for tinsel, red bow, and wintergreen elements (cones, wreaths, etc.) to complement your outside decorations.

• All I Want For Christmas is… for someone to move that pile of logs out of the front yard. But until then, use those random objects—bushes, logs, etc.—as a source of lighting and decoration (neatly, of course). Get creative and see how you can utilize those objects around your yard!

• Up On the House Top… are nothing but gutters and shingles. Winterize your roof with beautifully lit icicles and lights across the front of the house to illuminate not only the house, but the yard in general.

These are just a few ways you can visually enhance your home for the holidays. But don’t leave it just up to us—in what other creative ways can you decorate your yard or home for the season?

It may be getting darker earlier and colder every day, but for us at Payne Family Homes that just means one thing: it’s time for the holidays!

When it comes to the holidays, our Payne staff loves exploring various St. Louis destinations for music, events, and other activities that are synonymous with spreading the winter cheer. And since we’re all about community, what better way to enjoy the holidays than to share some of our favorite ideas with you?

• AmerenUE Thanksgiving Day Parade. A mere two days away, the Ameren Thanksgiving Day Parade is a Payne Family favorite. Entertaining for the kids and adults alike, the parade starts at 8:45am on Thursday and will include some of the area’s best marching bands competing for the top spot!

• Winter Wonderland 2010 at Tilles Park. The Winter Wonderland is in its 25th year and looks to be better and brighter than ever. Whether you do the drive or the romantic carriage ride, this is a visually stimulating experience that we love to visit every year. And if you can brave the cold, you can do the WinterWalk, too!

• St. Lou IS Holiday Magic. This unique holiday event takes place December 3-5 at the CVC downtown St. Louis. A Schlafly Beer Garden for the adults, arts and crafts for the kids, and a full-size ice-skating rink for all to enjoy—this has everything!

• St. Louis Zoo’s U.S. Bank Wild Lights. Starting this weekend and going through Christmas weekend, enjoy the splendid colorful lighting of the famous St. Louis Zoo! Gorgeous lighting displays, a beautiful atmosphere and live choir performances on various nights make this an area favorite every year.

These are only a few of the many things to do for the holidays in St. Louis. But enough from us—we want to hear from you! Where do you like to spend your holiday evenings and weekends in St. Louis? Share below!

The leaves have come and gone (unless you haven’t raked your yard yet!) and there’s frost on the pumpkin and landscaping.

Payne Family Homes would like to offer a handful of tips to get the house in shape as “Old Man Winter” creeps his way into a weather forecast.

• Windows, Doors & Siding…Oh My! In the cold winter months, a home’s windows, doors and siding can not only provide you shelter from a storm, but it can also help keep those energy bills down and your pocketbook smile. By properly sealing the crevices that may have appeared during exposure to the summer elements, the cold air has little to no chance to enter into your home, preventing your furnace from running virtually around the clock.

• Roof/Gutter/Downspout Inspection. After going being exposed the elements for months, your home’s roof, gutter and downspouts may have experienced some wind or weather-related wear. In cleaning out the gutters and downspouts of leaves, you’ll prevent potential damage to your roof’s shingles due to drainage backup and water seepage into your basement. Additionally, a gutter that’s filled with water and leaves could freeze over, causing the gutter to potentially loosen – and even fall – from your home’s fascia.

• HVAC Maintenance. Despite the age of your home and heating system, with temperatures regularly falling below freezing there’s always the possibility of your furnace failing. Have your HVAC system serviced by a licensed professional to ensure it’s running properly and equipped to handle the harsh cold. Stock up on air filters and change them frequently; also consider clearing the area around your furnace of flammable materials like cardboard boxes to prevent the possibility of fire.

• Landscaping Preparation. You thought you were done with yard work?!?!?! Oh, contraire! Trim any trees that may hang over your home, seal decks and driveways to avoid possible cracking and move sensitive vegetation indoors to avert serious damage.

By putting together a good checklist in preparation for “Mother Nature’s” harshest conditions, your Payne Family Home can be a nice oasis from the cold temps…and your pocket book will thank you! What else can you do to prepare for “Old Man Winter?”

It’s the holiday season at Payne Family Homes and we’re in the giving spirit.  Stop by any of our nine luxurious homebuilder communities across the St. Louis and St. Charles areas for our fantastic “Home for Holiday” promotion.

Between now and the close of 2010, a purchase of a Payne Family Home inventory home lands you a great gift of your choice to celebrate your purchase – and the season!

With over 28 stunning inventory homes available that feature the most tremendous savings in our history, Payne Family Homes wants to offer just a little extra to say “thanks” with your next single family, luxury villa, cottage home and condo purchase: holiday cheer!

Deck the halls with these boughs of holly:

        ·         $1,000 Holiday Grocery Gift Card

·         $1,000 Holiday Photo Session in Your New Payne Family Home

·         $1,000 Donation in Your Name to the Charity of Your Choice

Payne Family Homes crafts distinctive homes that are built to stand the test of time. Their communities include Ashton Woods, Bella Vista, Bordeaux Condominiums, The Enclave at Heritage, The Meadows at Ohme Farm, The Pointe at Heritage Crossing, The Townes at Belleau Creek and Tuscany.  Our custom-built homes at each of our nine communities in St. Louis and St. Charles Counties feature quality craftsmanship, incredible locations residing in AAA-Rated school districts and affordable value.

For additional information about our “Move In Ready Specials,” be sure to check out our website for updated listings!

As the winter weather slowly makes its way to St. Louis, Payne Family Homes is again supporting “Toys for Tots”, the annual campaign sponsored by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve.

Here at Payne Family Homes we consider it a privilege to participate in this nationwide charitable effort.  Our vision of “community” extends far beyond the borders of our residential neighborhoods and this is a fantastic opportunity to make a difference in the lives of less fortunate children. 

We pride ourselves on building more than just houses.  We create communities where our homeowners can enjoy life, raise their families and build their futures.  The joy “Toys for Tots” brings to less fortunate children seems a particularly appropriate way for us to give back to the greater St. Louis community that has made our success possible.

This is Payne’s second consecutive year with “Toys for Tots”.  Last year we were delighted and impressed by the generosity of our homeowners, vendors, employees and visitors touring our neighborhoods.  With more locations and more owners in residence, we are very excited for this year’s campaign.  We are thrilled to support the “Toys for Tots” program knowing the donations go directly to children in the St. Louis region.

From now until December, the “Toys for Tots” drop boxes will be stationed in the sales centers of all eight of our Payne Family Homes communities in St. Charles and St. Louis Counties.  We ask that donors contribute new, unwrapped toys that will be collected, sorted by age and gender and distributed to needy children in the St. Louis area.

We’re excited to support the St. Louis children and we hope you will join us in making their holiday one to remember.  Simply check out our locations to see which is the most convenient for you!