April 06, 2021
Categories: Tools
Hamlin by K. Hovnanian Homes (Liberty Hill Farm - Mt Pleasant)
You’ve decided to purchase a home and new construction seems like a better option for you than a used home. You have quickly realized shopping for a new home means not just finding the perfect home, but also the perfect new home neighborhood. Researching homes and neighborhoods suddenly seems to occupy most of your free time. Internet searches are an ideal way to start to see what options are available in your price range and the area you are interested in. While it is great to use the internet for your initial reconnaissance and to establish a list of top picks, it is important to go and visit the neighborhoods in person. Touring the neighborhood will give you an opportunity to drive through the actual streets, walk through the model homes, study the floor plans available, talk to neighborhood residents and meet with real estate professionals. These are all crucially important steps before you sign on the dotted line.
Buying a home can be a whirlwind process and it can be easy to get caught up in the moment and overlook crucial factors. You may engage the help of a Realtor to aid in your search and the negotiation process, as well as a Mortgage Lender to help you determine how much you are qualified to spend. Once you have the basics figured out (like your budget and a general idea of area in which you’re looking) it’s time to make a list of neighborhoods you’d like to visit. It’s good to consider all your options so be sure to include some that might not seem exactly like what you’re looking for, you might be surprised at what you find. It’s also just as helpful to figure out the things that you don’t like as much as the things that you do.
As you tour new home neighborhoods, you’ll see that builders typically have decorated model homes onsite that showcase some of the most popular floorplans that they build in the neighborhood. Some communities even offer a “model row” to tour. Simply put, a model home is a “sample home” that displays a builder’s craftsmanship and creativity. The sole purpose of the models is to demonstrate how a builder’s houses will look, feel, flow and function, while using the latest homebuilding techniques, products and features. Builders have access to an extensive list of options, features and upgrades, which are frequently included in their models so that you may see the many possibilities.
How does touring a model home benefit you?
Buying a new home is a major financial decision. You would not purchase a new car without taking it on a test drive. Apply similar logic to the purchase of your new home. A model home offers new home shoppers a similar experience and is important to the buying process, because it allows you to physically see, demonstrate and “test-drive” the home before committing to purchasing it. Touring model homes is extremely educational and can also be a lot of fun. Because these models showcase a builder’s workmanship and originality, you can see how homes are constructed, why particular features are included and how a floorplan can be tailored to fit your needs. A model is also an ideal way for a builder to present or introduce the company’s newest features and product options, as well as the most recently developed building techniques.
How can you maximize your model home tour?
Consider your trip to visit model homes to be a fact-finding mission. Be prepared with a notepad and pen. This way you can note the features commonly seen in most models, as well as what is unique. Note what you
do like and
don’t like. Write down the features you absolutely need in a home. How is the curb appeal? Be sure to walk completely around the house, both inside and out, including closets, utility areas, and the backyard.
Typically you’ll have a scheduled appointment with the builder’s onsite sales agent, and they will give you a guided tour of the model home. As you go from room to room, study each individual space, and never hesitate to ask questions, especially about the builder’s résumé. Ask the agent to point out the features unique to the home and be sure you understand which are standard and which are upgrades/options—especially in the kitchen and bathrooms. This can have a huge impact on the overall price of your home vs. what you’ll see advertised as the “base price.” Ask about energy efficiency and each of the features that contribute to it. It would also be helpful to ask what options and upgrade combinations other buyers have chosen and/or what works well together. Be sure to let the agent know if you have any special needs that must be met, because model options don’t always demonstrate all that a builder can do to accommodate home buyer’s needs.
To start the process and see what new homes and neighborhood are available, take advantage of this great comprehensive list of
new home neighborhoods in the Charleston tri-county area.
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Categories: Tools