Photo courtesy Toll Brothers.
When dreaming about your new home, you imagine what daily living will look like.
However, when you are buying a new construction home, it can be harder to authentically create those images in your mind’s eye, particularly if you are buying from plans and pictures.
That is in part why builders offer up model homes for prospective buyers to tour and stoke inspiration, providing space geared to help you fall in love with your future home.
What is a model home?
Often model homes do double duty as the sales center in a development. But above that, they serve a very important function for builders. They contextualize the lifestyle that homeowners could expect living there.
They also show scale in a way that isn’t possible from reading plans. They also represent an opportunity to fuse that emotional connection that homebuyers ultimately yearn for when they buy a house to become their home.
“A model home gives a buyer an understanding of the size, depth and dimension of spaces,” says Toll Brothers’ vice president of community planning Nimita Shah
“It also showcases a builder’s quality, their level of finish and their skill and how spaces create flow within a house. Buying a home is a huge financial decision, but it is also a huge emotional decision and the home really connects into that emotional side in the brain in the buying process.”
While a builder may have numerous models available for purchase, they will typically pick a handful of homes to build, furnish and decorate to showcase to prospective homebuyers.
‘You can’t model all the homes’
Mary DeWalt, president of DeWalt Design Group says, “You can’t model all the homes, so you will usually model two or three options and try to show as much as you can for a builder.”
DeWalt specializes in home merchandising – the methodology behind the aesthetic that will elicit that emotional connection. The design technique behind home merchandising is based on research into demographics and target markets. This determines not only how a model is planned and built, but how it is furnished, decorated, and staged.
And while the common advice for someone putting their home up on the resale market is to neutralize the space to encourage would-be buyers to picture themselves living there, the opposite approach is taken with a model.
“Neutralizing a home doesn’t inspire,” says DeWalt. “It needs to be more high-end, more beautiful and a thing to behold. The idea is to reach as many people as you can.”
What’s a memory point?
That translates into specific design and décor elements- prominently displayed “memory points” intended to create wow-factor and demonstrate the best and most stylish use of a particular space. Memory points also are a visual hook that will resonate with a buyer, creating excitement and an emotional connection.
For example, in Toll Brothers’ Amalyn development in Bethesda, its two newest models integrate unique memory points into their design to capture buyers’ attention.
The Florin model features a network of sublime outdoor spaces on the main level and upper floor. The Fairlaine model showcases a popular kitchen trend – a double island.
Another notable focal point is a striking staircase that winds down from a third-floor loft through the main floor to the basement.
A model home may be virtual
While model homes do a good job of representing life at home, it can be still challenging to visualize what your neighborhood might look like, or how a home would look using different styling and color palettes.
Viewing a model virtually can let you see what your streetscape will look like as a finished product, long after the dirty construction vehicles make their way to another dusty job site.
Zonda Virtual taps into home buying process
Zonda Virtual offers homebuyers the opportunity to tap into state-of-the art tech either through the builder website or through online interaction with the builder supported by a VR gaming system to find out which lots are available and what models are possible, walk the streets in their community, visit amenities and tour models, room by room.
There are even opportunities to try out different color schemes interactively, to help decide on finishes.
“Traditionally, you are limited by the homes available,” says George Papaioannou, vice president of sales with Zonda Virtual. “You’re also limited with customization options that you are left to imagine.”
Let’s say you like a particular kitchen, but would prefer different colors, accents or upgrades, which can be challenging to visualize.
Helping to set the price of a model home
“The technology here allows you to actually personalize it with those finishes and those options,” Papaioannou says.
One thing that models do effectively is communicate scale, but Zonda Virtual takes it one step further with its room planning tool. House hunters can choose from a wide variety of furniture pieces of different sizes to determine what will fit and what will constrict flow. This is helpful even after you’ve chosen your model as it can help you determine how best to furnish and equip your new home.
Now you don’t need to negotiate with the builder
Not only does virtual reality enhance the house hunting experience, but it can also help reassure buyers that their decisions (and there are so many decisions when buying a new home) are right for them and are within their budget, reducing anxiety around unexpected cost.
“You select your options, your finishes, your exterior elevation, your external color package and so on and then you see the prices, so you know that when you talk with a sales agent, you know what you want and you know how much it’s going to cost,” says Zonda Virtual vice-president Marc Lamoureux.
Photo courtesy Toll Brothers.
Planning your house-hunting strategy
Before you head off to tour models, spend some time researching builders and communities.
- What locations appeal to you? What is the size of the development?
- Are there multiple builders within the community?
- At what phase are they in the development (i.e., are they near the end, or will you be living with dust and construction traffic for a while yet)?
Pick some prospective builders.
- What sort of models and floorplan options do they offer?
- What comes standard?
- Are there customizable options in the floorplan?
- How long has a builder been in business?
- What is its reputation in the community?
- What is its track record for delivering on time and on budget? What is aftercare like?
- What warranties are offered?
It’s all about the home purchase
You should also spend some time building your wish list around things such as size, floorplan, number of rooms and unique spaces. But think beyond your four walls. What sort of amenities do you want in your community?
And most importantly – what is your budget? Your budget – not your wish list – should ultimately be your guide.
To gauge your budget, consider talking to a lender at the start of your house hunt. Many builders offer financing or can connect you with lenders who do. Some offer incentives through their partnerships with lenders.
Use these criteria to build a spreadsheet to decide on which builders and which models you should visit.
What questions should you ask the sales team?
Your tour will start with a conversation with the salesperson, who will take some time to determine what your housing needs and wants are before steering you towards a model that would be best suited.
“The sales team will want to understand what the requirements are for this purchase. Everything from the desired home size to budget, to bedroom count,” says Shah.
The salesperson will offer different models, perhaps ones with features that broaden options, such as a flexi-room that could accommodate a fourth bedroom or work-from-home space. They will also speak about community amenities.
When you are looking at models, ask if there are additional floorplans available. Sometimes a model will have variations and different elevations.
Worry about the warranty
One of the biggest perks of buying a new home might be the warranty. Find out the details of the length of the warranty and what is covered and what is not. Ask if the warranty is backed by the builder, or by a third-party company.
Ask about their building process. How long does it take? What is the deposit requirement and at what intervals do they require payment? Are you allowed to visit your home while it is under construction?
Determine which lots are available, and what you would like best. Do you want to be close to the park or the clubhouse? Do you want to have a south-facing home? Do you prefer a corner lot, or no rear neighbors? And make sure that the models you have in mind are available to be built on the lots you are looking at.
Make notes and don’t be shy with your questions. The more you know, the more likely you’ll choose a home that is a good fit.
Photo courtesy Toll Brothers.
What should you look for when touring a model?
How do you know if a model is right for you? “The number one thing a buyer should consider is ‘Does the floorplan work for me,’” says DeWalt.
That means taking your tour with a critical eye, to see if the floorplan suits your lifestyle and what you want to achieve with your home.
Think about things such as sightlines, window placement, electrical outlet availability and lighting. Pay attention to craftmanship with the finishes, which can be an indication of quality throughout. Are floors even? Do cabinetry, closets, and drawers open and close properly?
Think specifically about your lifestyle.
- Does the home accommodate your pets?
- Do you love to cook?
- Do you require home office space?
- Do you like open concept, or do you prefer defined rooms?
- Do you require a formal dining room, or are you content for everyone to gather in your kitchen?
- Does the flow between rooms support entertaining?
- Would you prefer main-floor laundry or upper floor? What sort of outdoor space is available?
“We want a client to envision their family and their friends in the space, making memories. We want them thinking ‘Is this going to be the basement that’s the next hotspot for game night? Is this our dining room for holiday dinners? Is that the attic loft that I might need to be able to launch the next phase of my career?’” says Shah.
Chances are you will tour a number of different models from different builders over your home search, but don’t schedule too many in the same day. The options can be overwhelming and make it more difficult to clearly define pros and cons.
If you’re really impressed, you may even be considering buying the model itself. You wouldn’t be the first person to purchase a model home!
Tips for buying a model: The design studio
After you’ve decided on your model of choice and signed your deal, it is time to proceed with one of the most exciting parts of building a brand-new home: picking your finishes.
Most builders offer an in-house design studio with support from a designer or decorator. You can expect to have at least a couple of appointments in the design studio.
At your first visit, you will get an idea of all the finishes that need to be chosen. You’ll also learn what comes standard and what materials involve an upgrade cost. And upgrades aren’t all equal. There are usually options within various price points.
Keep your budget in mind
It’s a good idea to take pictures of your favorites. It’s even better if there are samples available that you can take home with you, which will give you the opportunity to consider your choices in different light.
Once you’ve narrowed down your initial selections, you will schedule a follow-up appointment with the design center
Have your budget in mind before you start your selections and keep a few options open. Remember, you don’t have to do all the upgrades right now if the budget doesn’t permit. You can opt for standard choices, and either do it yourself later or bring in a contractor.
Rely on the guidance of the decorator and draw inspiration from how the model is styled, especially if that aesthetic appeals to you. Typically, a model is designed with elements that are meant to be easily reproduced.
“We’re partnering with the top the nation’s top interior designers to make sure that current trends and design ideas are incorporated but that a client could do with relative ease with a contractor or themselves afterwards,” says Shah.
DeWalt says asking specific questions about décor can help you with DIY inspiration and that she makes tips & tricks available for the builder to share with homeowners.
“Let’s say a family that is expecting a baby really likes the paint detailing done in the nursery. We would include a DIY handout for the buyers on how to achieve that effect.”
Photo courtesy Toll Brothers.
Should you buy a model home from a builder?
So, what if you (and your real estate agent) absolutely fall in love during a tour? Not just with the community, the floor plan and the possibilities presented by the builder, but with the actual, physical home in which you find yourself?
Consider a model home as your permanent home.
Depending on what phase of development is at in the community you are considering, you might have an opportunity to purchase the home itself instead of waiting for one to be built. Usually, models are among the last to be sold.
While a model typically defines move-in ready, is buying the home a good idea? That depends on a number of factors.
Questions to ask yourself when you consider a model
First – how does it make you feel?
“A model is meant to give homeowners a vision, but if you really love that vision presented as is in the model then buying a home is a good option,” says Shah.
If you encounter a home that looks exactly the way that you want it, or that you see potential to work easily with what is there, there is a definite upside. Similarly, if you need a home quickly, it is a convenient option.
Depending on the market, and on the level of finishes available in a model, you might be able to negotiate a better price on a model than on a traditional sale. However, it can be challenging to accurately do comparables on model homes, as they typically don’t list on the open market. You can get advice from a buyer’s agent on what a fair price would be and help with those negotiations.
Get the best deal, but check the warranty
Although a model home is new it isn’t brand new, and remember the clock is already ticking on the home’s warranty. You should negotiate an extended warranty with the builder to make sure that your coverage is accurate.
While a model home hasn’t been lived in, it has been “used.”
Many people will have trekked through on tours creating some wear and tear. This isn’t a deal-breaker, but it should signal to you whether you might need to replace some items more quickly.
Model homes are typically in a central location in a development so that they are most visible to the public, and therefore are subject to more traffic. That may suit you or it may not if you prefer to be off the beaten path.
And don’t forget the property inspection, whether you are buying the model home or a home from the builder’s plans. Property inspections are not just for old homes with possible structural issues. A property inspection will alert you to any issues that could give you leverage during the negotiation phase.
An inspection will also give you an idea on the state of various structural components in your home, and what sort of timelines you might be looking at before you need to invest money in repairs.
