A crucial step and the start of an exciting journey for you and your family is deciding to build a home. The most straightforward approach to choosing which house plan will best fit your lifestyle and family is to tour show homes, which is probably one of the most fun chores associated with selecting your new home.
Even while you can find house designs on your builder’s website, it’s far simpler to decide whether your preferred layout will work for you in person, and it can also serve as inspiration.
There are a few things you should pay additional attention to when touring a display home to make sure you’re comparing like with like. You may find the ideal balance of quality, value, and creativity in your dream home by using the information below as a guide.
1. HOW MUCH CAN YOU SPEND?
Decide how much you can spend on a house before you start shopping to avoid disappointment. Make careful to create a reasonable budget and decide how much you are ready to spend before speaking with your bank or a mortgage broker. Don’t forget to save some cash for any upgrades you might like or in case any unforeseen expenses crop up, which is always a possibility. You should try to stay under budget to have a little more wiggle space when it comes time to build.
2. WHAT ARE YOUR MAIN CONCERNS?
Before you tour display homes, it is advised that you have a clear concept of what is essential to you and what you want from your home. How many bedrooms are necessary? How many bathrooms are you interested in? Need you a large kitchen? Do you want a theatre or an activity room? You can more accurately decide whether the home you’re viewing is the correct one for you if you know what you’re searching for before you go and visit.
3. DOES THE DESIGN SUIT YOUR LIFESTYLE?
Do you prefer the notion of a grand foyer, perhaps having a cross breeze through the house on daylight hours, or more of an emphasis on outdoor entertaining? Visiting a luxury display home, for instance, will give you a sense of the “feel and flow.” If you’re planning to create an investment home, think about the characteristics and layout that will appeal to your ideal tenants.
4. HOW DOES THE WALL SOUND?
In-home design, the sound is a sensation that is frequently ignored. You may actually evaluate the noise level within and across rooms when you visit a display home. If you live in that design, strange echoes, opulent open-plan spaces, and the placement of the bathroom will all be important. Does sound from people walking on the second floor of a two-story display home pass through to the first floor? When children are playing or parents need some “alone time,” acoustic buffering is desired, and any parent will recognise this requirement.
Think about how noisy the house would be if all the doors and windows were closed. There is street traffic, maybe aircraft patterns, and there is always that neighbour with a leaf blower to worry about. While it’s doubtful that you’ll be residing in the exact model (or location) of a display home, paying close attention to how well the home’s construction lowers both inside and outside noise by using high-quality materials will give you confidence that your home will be quiet.
5. WHAT ARE THE MATERIALS OF THE DISPLAY HOUSE?
One can only learn so much from a floor plan or internet images of a show home. Does the kitchen cabinetry feel as sturdy as it appears, or do the handles perhaps have a slightly cheap feeling? Get specific about the materials you love about the home, write them down, and double-check that they are the ones specified on the final spec. Some showcase homes will show the “basic package,” while others will mix in extras and alternatives.
6. ARE THE FIXTURES CUSTOM OR STANDARD?
Handles, worktops, tiles, and faucets are essentially personal preferences. So, if you’re considering replacing the ones in the display, it’s wise to be aware of the price range and advise choosing high-quality producers. Every year, they’ll perform better and look better. Locating brands and products online is becoming easier and easier with the help of internet tools like Google Lens. Don’t get distracted by every little thing, but think about the things that are important to you and identify the things you “must have.”
7. HOW IS THERMAL EFFICIENCY?
Homes with subpar design, materials, or construction may end up having some of the highest costs for heating and cooling. Is the showcase home built to take advantage of natural light and work with the seasons in Western Australia? Think about where the windows and awnings will be placed in relation to the sun, whether it will work for your neighbourhood, and whether the design may need to change depending on the orientation.
8. DID YOU SPEAK WITH A BUILDING CONSULTANT?
Speak with the building consultant from your preferred builder once you have selected a house you like! Ask them for any guidance or assistance you may need; they are there to help with any inquiries you may have regarding financing, the construction process, or anything else.
