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What Do I... Look for in a Display Home?
Planning to view some display homes this weekend? Here's what to look for and how to get the most from your visit
In this practical series, we ask experts to answer your burning home and garden questions. Here, Stephen Thompson, director at Allworth Homes, reveals how to get the most value from your visit to a display home.
Have an understanding of upgrades
A display home will often have a ‘base price’ and an ‘as-displayed’ price to reflect all the included upgrades. When you find a model home you’re interested in, have the salesperson walk you through each room and explain what finishes are standard and which cost extra. Upgrades can raise the budget substantially, so it’s important to know your options.
A display home will often have a ‘base price’ and an ‘as-displayed’ price to reflect all the included upgrades. When you find a model home you’re interested in, have the salesperson walk you through each room and explain what finishes are standard and which cost extra. Upgrades can raise the budget substantially, so it’s important to know your options.
Take key measurements and details with you
These include:
Your land details so the sales consultant can measure up the model home on your land. Measurements of your existing furniture and a measuring tape so you can ensure that pieces will fit into the new space.
These include:
One size does not fit all
- Size should be your first consideration when selecting a house plan. You don’t want to run the risk of over- or under-building your home. If you are a growing family, you’ll need to make sure there will be enough space for you in a few years’ time.
- Think about how many bedrooms and living areas you need now and in the future.
- It’s a good idea to add in an extra room, such as a large dining room, even if it stretches the budget. Chances are, it will be worth it in the long run as you won’t have to extend or move house if your needs evolve.
- Think about your lifestyle needs. Do you like to entertain? If so, you might like to consider an open-plan living and dining area, or perhaps an alfresco dining area. Do you love to cook? If so, the layout of your kitchen will be very important to you.
- Make sure you have a mix of open and private spaces. And establish the amount of privacy you would like in your home – you might want a private home office if you work from home, or a kids’ playroom away from the main living area.
- Consider the placement of windows to ensure that you have enough privacy from neighbours.
Don’t be fooled by the sizzle – focus on the steak
- Don’t get drawn in by over-the-top visual styling in display homes – focus on floor plan and traffic flow.
- Ensure that traffic flows smoothly through the house – check that hallways do not have any tight or sharp turns, doorways are wide, and it’s easy to move between rooms.
- Spend some time in each model home to get a feel for the space and to picture yourself living there. Ask yourself if the home will suit your needs.
- Open and shut all doors, cupboards and drawers to make sure they’re smooth and don’t scrape the floor.
- Have a good look around the outside of the house.
- Can’t find quite the right one? Most home builders will have variations of the same design that may suit you better.
Ask the right questions
Such as…
Such as…
- What’s included in the price of the actual home versus what’s seen in the display home?
- What are the additional costs to see the home complete on my land?
- What inclusion packages do you provide?
- Who holds the builder’s license, how long for, and do you have enough warranty insurance to cover the upcoming work?
Look for signs of quality
Framing: In my view, quality timber framing is the best. Timber has a high structural efficiency, is extremely versatile and has a wide variety of important uses. As opposed to the relative rigidity of steel, timber frames are more flexible and resistant to the trauma of extreme weather conditions. Timber also deals better with temperature changes than steel does.
Brickwork: Take a close look at brick joints and beds – including around windows and door – for signs of quality work.
Tiling and paintwork: Take a close look at bathroom tiling and interior paintwork for quality.
Suppliers: Consider the reputation of the builder’s suppliers – are they brands with well-earned reputations for quality? Also ask for customer testimonials and references.
Framing: In my view, quality timber framing is the best. Timber has a high structural efficiency, is extremely versatile and has a wide variety of important uses. As opposed to the relative rigidity of steel, timber frames are more flexible and resistant to the trauma of extreme weather conditions. Timber also deals better with temperature changes than steel does.
Brickwork: Take a close look at brick joints and beds – including around windows and door – for signs of quality work.
Tiling and paintwork: Take a close look at bathroom tiling and interior paintwork for quality.
Suppliers: Consider the reputation of the builder’s suppliers – are they brands with well-earned reputations for quality? Also ask for customer testimonials and references.
Time it right
Display home centres get busy on weekends, so it’s best to visit during the week when you can have more quality time with your sales consultant. Be aware, however, that most sales consultants have their weekends on a Monday and Tuesday, so avoid these days.
If you can only attend on the weekend, research exactly which homes you are interested in in advance, to narrow down your visiting time. It’s also worth booking an appointment with a sales consultant so you can be guaranteed of having all your questions answered.
Display home centres get busy on weekends, so it’s best to visit during the week when you can have more quality time with your sales consultant. Be aware, however, that most sales consultants have their weekends on a Monday and Tuesday, so avoid these days.
If you can only attend on the weekend, research exactly which homes you are interested in in advance, to narrow down your visiting time. It’s also worth booking an appointment with a sales consultant so you can be guaranteed of having all your questions answered.
Some things are worth paying extra for
When it comes to items you touch every day, it’s worth buying the best you can afford. These include tapware, kitchen appliances, shower screens and the entrance set on your front door.
When it comes to items you touch every day, it’s worth buying the best you can afford. These include tapware, kitchen appliances, shower screens and the entrance set on your front door.
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Find a home builder near you
Did you find this story useful? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to like or share this story and save the photos. Join the conversation.
More
Find a home builder near you
You can save a lot of time by doing some online research before your visit. You’ll be able to filter out those designs that are out of budget or not to your taste, and make a shortlist of the display homes you’d like to view. This also helps when it comes to the actual viewing, as seeing too many homes at once can be confusing and muddle your thinking.