Real stories, real possibilities: Why homeowners love owning a Clayton home

Finding the right fit in a growing city

“It’s the perfect house for us.” – Kayla C.

Kayla and Juan Cebreros spent years budgeting to buy a home. But with Denver’s housing shortage, finding something attainable for their family of six was hard. “Realistically, houses are so expensive (in this area), so we didn't know how much longer it would take us,” Kalya says.

That’s when the Cebreroses found On2 Homes, a brand from Oakwood Homes, one of Clayton’s builders. Thanks to a streamlined blend of off-site and on-site construction and a waste-reducing home building process, On2 Homes offered new build homes at prices below the area’s median price.

"A week after showing us the house, we were under contract,” Kayla says. “The whole process was really quick. It wasn’t what we expected."

Now, the family has all the space they need. "As a parent, you only want the best for your kids," Kayla says. "When you have a place to call your own, it's a pretty cool feeling.”

A place to build something that lasts

“To have a home so quickly, at such a young age, it’s a prideful feeling.” – Koven B.

High school sweethearts Koven and Josh Bruce started planning for their dream home early. When they finally stepped into The Sedona, they knew they’d found it. “I think I was crying," Koven says. "(I thought), this actually feels like it could be our house, our home forever."

The couple added quartz countertops and upgraded insulation and appliances before placing the home on Josh’s family farmland in Texas. With 400 acres outside and a thoughtful layout inside, they have plenty of room to grow.

Today, they share the home with their three pets, Koven’s antique collection, and the friends who often stay over. Koven jokes they’re “always cooking for people,” thanks in part to the kitchen’s open layout. “I love being able to cook and still talk while hosting,” she says.

One guest in particular was special: "To have my grandmother walk in here and be so proud of it — it's been really cool."

From apartment renting to owning

"Any question I ever had, everyone answered almost immediately.” – Justin J.

After moving yearly to keep up with rising rental costs, Justin Jones decided it was time for something more permanent. "Clayton was immediately like, 'Let's help you find what you want,'" Justin says. "I was like, 'sold.'"

He chose The Albright, placing it in a friendly neighborhood in Colorado Springs, CO, known for amenities like an Olympic-sized pool and pickleball courts. When Justin’s move-in day came, a special welcome gift was waiting.

“My sales rep gave me cards and a Christmas tree,” he says. “I had never had a Christmas tree before because I would move every year in December."

Planning a comfortable retirement

"You're getting the house you want faster.” – Rob A.

For Rob and Katie Allyn, retirement meant trading Rhode Island for the mountain views of Asheville, NC. Their priority was finding the right property in a neighborhood they loved, then building a house on that land.

When they explored modular options, the range of choices stood out. “We could expand the plans for more space, pick out the flooring and a fireplace,” Rob says. “The whole process was flexible.”

The level of design details available surprised them, too. “We were familiar with modular homes but didn't know that they had this level of amenities, like the crown molding and high ceilings,” he says.

With those choices in place, Rob and Katie built their home and added solar panels. Rob says they’ve experienced lower energy bills, a useful perk in retirement. So is knowing the panels support their new natural setting. “I can walk out on the deck and hear the cows mooing sometimes, and it brings me back to my childhood,” he says.

A place filled with personal touches

“I love everything about it. I love the fireplace, I love the porch stairs, I love the windows. I love being home.” — Shirley B.

For Shirley Birdsong, home is a place to express who she is. A walk around her property in Paradise, CA, makes that clear.

Painted garden pots line the yard of the home she shares with her son, Salvador. Her original paintings and pottery are part of the space, and even a fence post has been turned into a mural.

Over time, Shirley has added details that reflect her interests and creativity. The layout of her 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom Coronado home gives her room to do that comfortably, with space for both artwork and everyday living. For Shirley, those include a fireplace she loves, windows that brighten her mornings, and landscaped porch stairs that welcome visitors.

“We have fun living in this home," Shirley says.

A home fit for every chapter

The path to homeowning often looks different from one household to the next. Some of the Clayton homeowners you heard from bought a home because they relocated to a new state. Some downsized. And others were planting roots for the first time.

In each case, the decision came down to what would work in real terms: the right location, the right layout, and the right moment to move forward. Our homeowners considered their routines, their families, and the years ahead. The result was a home that made sense for where they were and where they were headed.

Clayton builds new construction homes using that same practical approach, with options that support buyers at different stages of life. To read more real-life experiences of Clayton homeowners, visit our Homeowner stories page.