Payne Family Homes is justifiably proud of The Pointe at Heritage Crossing, the firm’s multi-lifestyle community in St. Peters.

The tree-lined development enjoys a fabulous location, close to the juncture of Highway 94 and the Page Extension, and has great curb appeal with its tasteful arrangement of single-family and villa homes.

In July, Payne Family opened a new ranch-style Cape Cod display in The Pointe’s 62-homesite villa section, which is now half-sold. Three story-&-a-half and 2-story luxury villa plans are also offered.  Only 19 of the community’s 68 single-family homesites remain for purchase – hardly surprising,  since the portfolio features seven of the builder’s wildly popular Lifestyle Series designs.

A Haven for Busy Young Professionals
The carefree villa lifestyle appeals to all kind of homebuyers, but Clay Brinker and Renee Riekena had very specific reasons for choosing The Pointe.  Clay and Renee both grew up in small Illinois towns. They met at SIU/Carbondale, have been together for five years, and are planning a November wedding. Career opportunities brought them to St. Louis, where Clay is an accountant with a major international firm and Renee is a meeting planner for a pharmaceutical company. So, “planning ahead� is obviously a trait this attractive, articulate young couple share.

With interest rates at an all-time low, Federal stimulus funds available, and their apartment lease coming up for renewal, this past spring seemed the right time to buy a home.
“The location first attracted us to The Pointe,� says Clay. “The neighborhood has a ‘hometown’ atmosphere that we really like, and having the Page Extension practically at our doorstep is huge! Renee works in Earth City, and it’s only a 25-minute commute to downtown St. Louis for me.�

Since both travel a great deal, the villa lifestyle was ideal.

“We’re seldom home at the same time, and when we are, we don’t want to waste time on yardwork,�

Renee noted. The pair moved into their newly-built Cape Cod in late June and insist that everything about their first-time homebuying experience has been thoroughly enjoyable.

“Everyone at Payne Family is so friendly, and they really work with you to get things done right,� both agree. “[Community sales manager] Julie Jones was a huge part of it – always available to answer questions. We made lots of changes, but [superintendent] Dave Wilcoxen genuinely wanted us to be satisfied with the house. And we just love it!�

A Tranquil Harbor for Families
Preeti and Rajul Patel’s path to The Pointe couldn’t have been more different. Rajul’s extended family moved from India to Texas when he was five. Preeti grew up in Indore, a major city in central India.  As a young man, Rajul returned to India for several months. While there, relatives decided that “Rajul needed to get married.� According to tradition, weeks of family negotiations and “interviewing� of prospective brides ensued, and Preeti was Rajul’s choice. The next day they were engaged – and married a week later!  Both laughingly describe their marriage as “semi-arranged,� since either could have declined.

“All good things come if you wait,� says Rajul with a smile, and nine years later, the Patels are clearly happy and the proud parents of two young sons.

Now general manager of the St. Charles Holiday Inn, Rajul brought Preeti to St. Louis to home shop last December.  He’d “done his homework,� finding solid reviews of Payne Family Homes, and the couple appreciated Julie Jones’ personable, “no-pressure� approach.

“Good schools and locationwere our number one priorities,� he says, “and The Pointe is a good family environment for our boys.�

Preeti, an esthetician, returned to California while their Lifestyle Series two-story was under construction. At home in The Pointe for just over a month, the Patels concur, “Payne made it easy for us, and the product shows where this company is.  Quality, not quantity, is what counts to them.�

The Pointe at Heritage Crossing, from the $170’s. 314-482-0769, or www.PayneFamilyHomes.com

When Jenny and Mike Buckowitz began shopping for their first home, new construction seemed well beyond their budget, until a friend suggested they visit The Townes at Belleau Creek, Payne Family Homes’ charming community of detached cottage homes in St. Peters.

An Internet search produced glowing reviews on the homebuilder and convinced the young couple that a tour of Belleau Creek might be worthwhile. Now, “wow!� and “awesome!� are the two words this dynamic pair use most often to describe their Payne Family experience.

Living space and good schools were huge issues for the Buckowitz family, which includes energetic 2½-year-old twins, Peyton and Michael. Entering the 2-story “Givry� display, their first reaction was, “Wow, we’re not looking at any other houses. This is our dream home!�

Assisted by Community Sales Manager Meghan Edwards, Mike and Jenny found that they could actually afford a four-bedroom version of the home, with a backyard and more space than they ever thought possible!

Fortified with animal crackers and fruit snacks, twins Peyton and Michael Buckowitz help mom and dad review plans for their new home

Jenny was immediately won over by the Givry’s spacious kitchen and its open view to the dining area. Moving upstairs, she was, yes… wowed! “It was breathtaking! – the loft, the open hallway, the double doors to the master bedroom – it was almost like a fairy tale!�

For Mike, there was an unexpected bonus. “Belleau Creek provides outside maintenance,� he explained. “We both work, so this means we can spend our weekends with the kids, instead of mowing the lawn or doing yardwork.� “Or shoveling snow!� Jenny added with a relieved sigh.

Now under construction, the Buckowitz’ home is scheduled for completion in early October. Mention of the date reminded them of another example of Edwards’ professional skill. “Meghan is amazing, and we haven’t had a single problem!� the couple chorused. “She even arranged a closing schedule that worked perfectly with our current lease. Meghan made everything happen, and we can’t wait for the house to be done!

Giving similar kudos to Edwards’ assistant, Ashley Balkenbush, and Superintendent Bruce Wilson, Mike and Jenny summed up their first venture into home ownership with one word (you guessed it): “Awesome!�

Four multi-level cottage home designs are included in Belleau Creek collection. Economically priced from the $130’s, the models encompass a minimum of 1536 square feet and come with special incentives that vary per plan. A new display model is under construction, and the current Givry display and three inventory homes are available for immediate purchase.

The neighborhood enjoys an outstanding St. Peters location at the intersection of Belleau Creek and Mexico Roads, close to Mid Rivers Mall and the numerous restaurants and shopping centers along Highway K. The Townes at Belleau Creek (314-477-1158) is open daily, and additional information may be obtained online, www.PayneFamilyHomes.com

Diana and Patrick McDonough definitely qualify as experienced new-home buyers.

The couple had built three houses elsewhere before purchasing their current – and they insist, “Final!� – Payne Family Home in The Meadows at Ohmes Farm.  Formerly residents of Cottleville, the McDonoughs had decided to downsize, even though they  still have two active young sons – Kyle, 13, and Michael, 11 – at home, plus Tucker, the family’s first puppy.  Topping their list of “must-haves� was a ranch-style home; a location close to the boys’ private schools and extra-curricular activities; and a manageably-sized yard, requiring less maintenance and allowing more time to enjoy their busy family life.
“We shopped all over, looking at many builders and all kinds of plans,� says Diana. “We liked St. Peters, but there weren’t many new-home communities in this area. Still, the minute we walked into Payne Family’s display here at Ohmes Farm, I knew this was the right house!�

In fact, the elegant “San Marino� ranch was so close to the McDonoughs’ vision that, except for the addition of a finished lower level, they made only minimal changes to the basic floorplan.  Patrick was influenced by Payne Family’s construction quality.
“We’ve always built new,� he explained, “and architectural ‘flash’ doesn’t impress me. I want to know what’s behind the walls, and I could see that these homes are very solid and well-built.�
Leaving nothing to chance, the couples researched the company online and were further reassured by customer reviews. Their search was over, and construction began – under the watchful eye of at least one McDonough family member every single day!
“It was exciting to watch the house go up,� Diana recalls, “and [field superintendent] Bruce Wilson and [general manager] Scott Kerns were fantastic to work with!�

After a moment of parental hesitation, Kyle was allowed to describe his special contribution to the process. As the lower-level entertainment area neared completion, the carpenters needed owner instructions for installation of cabinetry in the bar area – but Patrick was out of town on business.  With his dad’s long-distance guidance, Kyle demonstrated his computer skills, producing a set of drawings that worked perfectly!
“I’m not sure we should tell the world that we let our 13-year-old designed our bar,� Diana whispered.