Meet the Builder: Jeff Payne of Panterra Homes

Jeff Payne, principal of Panterra Homes, isn’t your typical builder, and the homes he builds aren’t standard fare. Far from it. His goal is create well-built homes that work well today — and in the years to come. His motto: “Better Homes for Better Living.”
What separates Payne from many builders is his commitment to incorporating both the principals of green building and universal design into his homes. That means that not only are Panterra Homes more energy-efficient and cleaner-living than most homes, but they are also easily accessible for everyone -– including the elderly and the disabled.
“Universal Design is a concept that provides the greatest amount of access for the greatest number of people,” Payne explains. “When I build a Universal Design home, which I try to do with all my homes, I’m eliminating barriers; so I’m creating zero-step entries from the garage, I’m using lever handles and 3-foot-wide doorways. These are things that look normal to everybody, but if you are disabled or are trying to help someone maneuver through a home, they’re very handy to have.”
Here’s a quick overview of what you can expect when you buy a Panterra Home:

• Superior framing and construction
• An Earth Advantage-rated home, incorporating proven green-building techniques, including a super-insulation package, with R-50 ceilings, R-38 floors, R-24 walls, R-8 overhead door, low-e treated energy-efficient windows and a 95 percent efficient gas-forced air furnace
• Thoughtful design, incorporating beautiful wood, stone and tile finishes
• Energy Star-rated appliances, Low VOC paints
• Universal Design features, such as 36-inch doorways, grade-level entries and a barrier-free walk-in master shower with double shower heads
• Home is pre-wired for sound and central vacuum
• A xeriscaped, fenced yard incorporating native plants that require minimal watering

Payne’s goal: “We build and deliver a really tight home — a good value for the money. First and foremost, it’s a very energy-efficient home. We wrap the exterior with a rigid Styrofoam that provides an extra layer of insulation and creates a thermal break. We also do the maximum amount of insulation in the ceiling and in the underfloor. Plus, all the ductwork is in a conditioned airspace.
“One of the biggest differences between me and many of my competitor builders,” Payne adds, “is that I’m actually running the jobs. I’m available at the jobsites. I’m also available 24/7 by phone to answer questions. All my subs are on email; we correspond on weekends. We discuss new ideas and advanced framing techniques. And I try to be very considerate of materials on the jobsite, making timely returns so we get credit for those and not over-ordering.”
Actively involved in his community, Payne is a member of the board of directors for the Central Oregon Builders Association, is a member of the Energy Trust of Oregon (an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to helping utility customers benefit from saving energy and generating renewable energy) and is a member of the City of Bend Accessibility Committee.
He has received the Certified Green Building Professional designation, which provides an understanding of the fundamental principals of green building, and is a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist, a designation that teaches participants how to design and modify homes that are built to function well for a person’s lifetime — even as their needs and abilities change.

Bend Homes by Panterra Homes

Alpine Real Estate (my office ) currently has two of Paynes’  homes on the market (both are new construction). Below is a closer look at one of them. If you’re interested in learning more about Panterra Homes (Payne also has several additional lots ready to be developed) or would like to see one of his new homes,  you can reach me by phone or text at 541-480-0987.