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.