A single billboard on I‑15 sparked the Williams family’s Daybreak story. Michael and Liz (Lizzy) Williams planned to live on Salt Lake’s east bench after several years in D.C. for law school. Then they toured a Rainey model home—and everything changed.
Jump to:
- How it started
- The Daybreak “shuffle”
- Lizzy behind the lens
- Building again with Rainey Homes
- A studio above the garage
- Lizzy’s tips for building
- Explore Daybreak
- Related links
How it started: East meets West
“We originally saw a Daybreak billboard on the side of I‑15,” Lizzy recalls. “As soon as we stepped into our first Rainey model, we were sold.”
They also noticed a trend: many neighbors were on their second or third Daybreak home—a strong sign of loyalty that resonated with the couple.
The Daybreak “shuffle”: Creekside → Heights Park
In 2013, the Williams family built a cozy cottage with Rainey Homes in Creekside Village. Years later, they completed a second Rainey home in Heights Park Village—officially joining the ranks of families who do the Daybreak “shuffle.”
“Daybreak feels like a dream … I’ve become really attached to the community and invested in its future. It just gets better every year.” —Lizzy
Lizzy behind the lens: LiveDAYBREAK photographer
Lizzy invests back into the neighborhood as LiveDAYBREAK’s photographer. You’ll often spot her at concerts and community events—camera in hand—with kids Henry and Lina tagging along.
“Living and working here lets me show my love for Daybreak through photography,” she says.
Building again with Rainey Homes
When it came time to build again, the decision felt easy: stick with what worked. “After one positive experience there was no reason to stray,” Lizzy shares. “Rainey—especially Doug and Cortney—became good friends and consistently delivered the product and service we needed.”
A studio above the garage
Lizzy’s favorite detail? A photography studio above the garage, designed so she could work from home without hauling equipment around the valley. With Rainey’s semi‑custom approach, the team collaborated on thoughtful tweaks that made daily life simpler.
Lizzy’s tips for building a new home
- Focus on what you can control and let the rest go.
- Be kind to the crew. They’ll do their best—and remember your home isn’t the only one on the list.
- Make friends early with would‑be neighbors. Moving day gets easier.
- Invest in the neighborhood. Get to know people and join LiveDAYBREAK community events even before you move in.
Explore Daybreak like the Williams family
Explore Villages & DistrictsSee Rainey Homes at Daybreak
Related links
- Original post: East Meets West — The Williams Family Move to Daybreak
- Rainey Homes at Daybreak
- Heights Park Village
- Villages & Districts
- Read more resident stories
Read more Daybreak resident stories, here.
