Meet the Burkes and Their Somerset on the Hill

At Wayne Homes, there is nothing we love more than seeing a piece of land transform into a forever home. That’s what we do! As a custom on-your-lot builder, every build has a story. The Burke family’s build story is particularly special because it allowed us to see one of our newest home designs come to life. We are thrilled to feature John and Paris Burke, who recently moved into their stunning new Somerset in rural Mantua, Ohio.

The Burkes were among the very first families to select the Somerset — one of our newest floor plans. From the first scoop of dirt to the final walkthrough, the Burkes documented their entire journey on Instagram at @somerset_on_the_hill, giving us an up close and personal look at what it’s like to build your dream from the ground up.

From Music City to Sweet Home Ohio

The Burkes met in the music industry. Paris was a recording artist, and John owned a recording studio in the Cleveland area. After marrying, they decided to move to Music City: Nashville! Although it was fun for a while, they began to feel the pull to move back home to Ohio.

“We first started talking about it in late 2019, around the same time we decided to move back to Ohio from Nashville,” John said. “My father had mentioned that he would gift us some land if we came back. We weren’t ready to build right away, but we began taking steps in 2022 — getting the land in our name, installing a driveway, doing some groundwork, soil testing, and other preparations.” With the lot figured out, it was time to find a builder.

Why Wayne?

We often ask our homeowners how they came to find us, and for John Burke it was a family affair. “Wayne Homes was the first builder I thought of because my parents built with Wayne in 2001 when I was 13 years old. I remember going to Wayne Homes meetings with them,” John recalls.

The Burkes valued how upfront the discovery process was at Wayne. “It was a great experience on every level. Working with Sarah at the start was fun, and having one-on-one support from our field manager, Ray, made everything feel personalized and reassuring. Ray was always easy to reach and consistently kept us updated on the progress,” John said.

From Dig Day to Move-In

The Burke family documented their full build process with Wayne Homes, giving us all a front-row seat on their journey:

• Dig Day (March 6, 2025): The official start! The first excavator hit the dirt, marking the beginning of their physical build.
• Foundation & Framing: By mid-spring, the outline of the foundation was set, and framing began shortly after. It’s always a milestone moment when homeowners can finally “walk through” the rooms of their home for the first time.
• Enclosing the Home: Through late spring and early summer, the Somerset Classic really took shape. Windows and doors were installed, siding went up, and the drywall was finished, turning the structure into a recognizable home.
• The Finishing Touches: In July, the interior came to life. The installation of the shower doors, bathroom countertops, and custom closet shelving signaled that the finish line was near.
• Closing Day (July 30, 2025): Just under five months after Dig Day, John and Paris officially closed on their home and received the keys to their Somerset Classic.

The Somerset: Designed for Modern Families

The Somerset is designed for the way modern families live. It features an open-concept main living area that is perfect for entertaining, while still providing quiet retreats for rest. For the Burkes, the Somerset was ideal. “We really wanted a two-story home. We both liked the idea of having the bedrooms upstairs and the living areas downstairs — that separation was something we had talked about before,” John said. “We also had a certain budget in mind, and the Somerset checked both boxes. We really loved the layout as well — it feels so open and spacious for a 1,420-square-foot home. The basement has also been perfect for my studio business.” With all the boxes checked, the Burkes were ready to move forward with their new build.

Working with our Portage location, the Burkes were able to navigate the custom building process with confidence. Our team loves a challenge, and bringing a new floor plan to life on a beautiful hillside lot was a project we won’t soon forget.

Ready to Start Your Journey?

Are you inspired by John and Paris’s Somerset on the hill? Whether you’re interested in the Somerset floor plan or one of our many other floor plans, Wayne Homes is here to help you every step of the way.

We want to extend a huge thank you to the Burkes for sharing their story and their beautiful photos with us. We wish you many years of happiness in your new Somerset Classic!

Explore the Somerset Floor plan • Follow @somerset_on_the_hill on Instagram

Do you have a vision for your ideal home? Contact us today to start planning! You’ll love the possibilities!

About Wayne Homes

Wayne Homes is a custom homebuilder in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and West Virginia (see all Model Home Centers). We offer more than 50 fully customizable floorplans and a team dedicated to providing the best experience in the home building industry. For more information, Ask Julie by Live Chat or call us at (866) 253-6807.

Disclaimer: The details of this blog are accurate as of the publish date, but are subject to change.