5 Essential Showhome Tips for New Home Buyers
- February 18, 2018
- By Cody Battershill
5 Tips to Help You Navigate a Showhome Effectively
Are you thinking about buying a new home sometime soon? If so, visiting showhomes is a great way to introduce yourself to the product a builder has to offer while also discovering exactly what kind of features appeal to you.
Not everyone is familiar with showhome territory. I mean, it’s pretty simple, but it’s best to be as informed as possible when browsing for that perfect new home fit. With that in mind, here are a few showhome tips you should always keep in mind.
Tip #1 - You’re Looking at an Upgraded Version
One of the most important things to know about showhomes is that the builder usually displays upgrades to create more appeal for you, the potential buyer.
They are not trying to deceive you, but simply show the best of what they have to offer!
Not everything you see will be upgraded, however, which is why if you’re serious about a home you should ask the sales representative for a specifications sheet showing which features are and aren’t part of the basic model.
Don’t hesitate to ask about how much certain upgrades are that you like and take note of the ones that you could live without. This will give you an idea as to the total cost of the home with all those add-on bells and whistles included, and how much it will go for without.
- Also see these 5 Quick-Tips for Building a Home in Calgary
Tip #2 - You May Have Flexibility Concerning the Floor Plan
Showhome floor plans are an example of what a builder has to offer, but aren’t always all that they have to offer. They are there to give you a rough idea as to what the product is like.
In most new communities, builders typically have multiple showhomes with different floor plans open for viewing which might leave you feeling like you must select one of them. Keep in mind though that builders can and will make modifications to the floor plan to better suit your wants, needs and lifestyle.
For example, if you happen to like the kitchen layout in one showhome but not the family room, ask the sales representative if there’s another model with the same kitchen but a different living area. They should give you a solid suggestion on a different showhome model in addition to some options you have that could replace the space that didn’t appeal to you.
- Also see our New Calgary Home Buyers Guide - Floor Plans
Tip #3 - You Might Be Able to Buy the Showhome
You may walk into a showhome and think it’s the perfect fit. I mean, it’s rare, but it does happen! If that’s the case, there’s good news as you may be able to buy it!
Not all people like the idea of buying a showhome, but if it suits your wants, needs and lifestyle, why not? After all, doing so comes with some solid pros.
Truth is that buying a new home and building it from scratch can be a lengthy wait, lasting anywhere from 6 to 12 months. When sold as is (with touch-ups, of course), showhomes present the opportunity for a relatively quick-possession in addition to added comfort through knowing exactly what you’re getting for your money.
For example, if you chose to customize a floor plan and make it different than that of a showhome, it may not look for feel how you imagined it once it’s built. Home builders have virtual tours to help you with envisioning yourself in the space, but there’s never a substitute for the real deal.
- Also see these 21 Questions to Ask Your Home Builder
Tip #4 - You Should Look Past the House Itself
A new showhome that’s fully-furnished with sparkling upgrades is enough to get any potential home buyer excited!
However, it’s important to remember that it’s not all about the home itself. You’ll want to consider other things such as the community, the lot’s in-community location, the type of lot (i.e. cul-de-sac, corner, etc.), what direction the house is facing and if there’s a backyard fence that comes with (important for dog owners) to name a few.
For example, if you choose a lot that’s near the community lake, then walking to and from during the summer won’t be such a task. There’s also a huge benefit supervision-wise when it comes to raising kids who would spend lots of time at the playground, for example, if your home is close to or could even view the area from the back porch.
Meanwhile, a north or south facing house will tend to get lots of sun in both yards throughout the year, while an east or west facing house will get may heat up or cool down depending on the weather. If walking to the store is a must, a lot near the in-community strip mall may be perfect for you.
Once again, these are all examples of additional considerations you need to make to be 100 percent satisfied with your new home purchase. Take as much time as you need to evaluate all those “other” things apart from the house itself including the community– which brings us to our last showhome tip.
- Also see our New Calgary Home Buyers Guide - Choosing a Lot
#5 - You Can Take as Much Time as You Need
Sure, you have to visit showhomes during opening hours, but there’s no limit as to how many times you can walk through and examine your surroundings.
It’s highly recommended that you take a while and check the quality of craftsmanship and finishings in every room just to make sure it’s up to or exceeds your standards.
You’ll also want to consider visiting during different times – during the day and at night - so that you’ll get a feel as to how the ambiance of each room changes depending on the hour.
Covering all the bases will ensure that you’re completely satisfied with the home you do end up deciding to go with.
Questions about Showhomes in Calgary?
As a top-producing REMAX real estate agent in Canada (2013, 2014, 2015h) with well over a decade of experience in helping people buy new homes, I guarantee to provide only the best service, advice and third-party representation the industry has to offer while taking care of all your real estate needs.
Call anytime at 403-370-4180 or message me below for a quick, if not immediate response during most hours of the day. I am looking forward to helping you accomplish your real estate plans!