"We Wake Up Feeling Like It’s a Dream" | Les and Lyne's Custom Home Journey with Keel Custom Homes
Finding the perfect home builder can feel overwhelming—especially when you're looking for someone who truly understands your vision. For Les Owen and Lyne Babin, that search led them to Keel Custom Homes, where their dream of a custom home became a beautiful reality.
The Moment They Knew
Like many couples beginning their custom home journey, Les and Lyne initially struggled to find a builder that felt right. "A lot of them seemed the same or just didn't quite feel just right for us," Les recalls. But then everything changed when Lyne discovered The Sanibel model design.
"One day she just said 'Look at this,' and she showed me the picture of The Sanibel and that big front porch," Les remembers. "It just screamed at me—this is the one."
Bringing Their Vision to Life
What set Keel Custom Homes apart wasn't just the initial design that caught their eye, but the team's willingness to accommodate their personal touches. Les and Lyne had specific ideas about how they wanted their home to feel and function.
"We wanted a wraparound porch and we also wanted French doors going out to the wraparound porch," Lyne explains. When they met with the Keel team, they were able to discuss their vision openly and explore ways to expand and modify the original house design.
Navigating Challenges Together
Every custom home project comes with its challenges, and Les and Lyne's journey was no exception. When budget constraints arose during the design process, the Keel team didn't simply present problems—they offered solutions.
"We started running into budget issues, but what we decided to do was rearrange some of the design within the house itself," Les shares. "They were great with coming up with ideas of how to make that happen. It worked out beautifully."
The Selection Process Made Easy
One of Lyne's favorite parts of the process was working with the Keel team to select fixtures and cabinets. "Knowing that there was a plan that we could adjust, that we could make modifications, and then meeting the Keel team to pick our fixtures and our cabinets" made the experience enjoyable rather than stressful.
The team's established relationships with vendors proved invaluable. "Keel has great relationships with some of these vendors. So we became very close to these vendors and had multiple visits with them. They got to know our style and they were able to guide us to the right product."
While the selection process might seem overwhelming at first, Lyne found that "step by step, you realize you come together in the end with all of these selections and you walk into your house and you know—this is mine."
A Space That Works for Life
Les, who has a career in music and filmmaking, needed a dedicated studio space for both practice and video editing. The thoughtful design and construction approach by Keel Custom Homes created exactly what he envisioned.
"The beautiful part about it is because of the way Keel built it with the windows and glass doors, I can sit at my desk and work and turn around, look outside and see the beautiful nature around our home," Les describes.
More Than Builders—They're Friends
What truly made the experience special was the relationship Les and Lyne developed with the Keel team. "The first time we met the Keel team, it felt like we were meeting friends. They were so accommodating," Lyne reflects.
This personal approach gave them confidence throughout the customization process. "We were able to make that customization with confidence with the Keel team. They were guiding us through every step of the way."
Living the Dream
Today, Les and Lyne's experience in their custom home exceeds even their own expectations. "We wake up every morning feeling like it's a dream," Les says. "It's brought this excitement to our lives that's greater than we had anticipated."
Ready to start your own custom home journey? At Keel Custom Homes, we believe every family deserves a home that's uniquely theirs. Our experienced team works closely with you to bring your vision to life, providing guidance and support every step of the way. Contact us today to learn how we can help you create the home of your dreams.