While purchasing off-plan can have lots of advantages, most homebuyers understandably want to see a finished product before committing their money to what is probably their biggest-ever investment.
A show home, professionally decorated and furnished by expert interior designers, gives househunters an opportunity to see in person the quality of the home and the whole development offer. It can also be inspiration for what you’d do with your own home when you move in.
It’s worth booking an appointment to see a show home as the sales team can give you one-to-one attention.
There are some key questions to ask yourself and the sales team when you’re there.
Is it exactly what I want and need?
You’ll see the space that the house type offers and whether the number and layout of the rooms suits your requirements. Will the whole family be comfortable? Is there enough room for your furniture and sufficient storage space? A show home may not be fitted with the same amount of ‘stuff’ that you have.
What about outdoors?
Whether it be a garden, balcony, terrace or driveway – is there enough for your needs and wishes? Somewhere to comfortably sit for a meal or to entertain friends? Enough space for a vegetable patch, or to put the children’s pool and trampoline?
How would I use the space?
Regardless of how the show home has been fitted, you would be able to utilise any room the way you want to. A bedroom, dining room – even a garage – has the potential to fulfil a different function if you’d like a dressing room, home office, games/TV room or gym, for example.
What’s standard and what’s extra?
Show homes usually mix standard specification with a few options and upgrades. You should ask what is and isn’t included for the asking price and find out what choices there might be with things like kitchen units/worktops, flooring, fitted wardrobes and home tech. There may be a deal to be done, or some plots already fitted with upgrades you want.
What’s the whole development going to be like?
You can ask for a tour of the site so that you can get some idea of street layouts and open spaces. Are the local shops, amenities, schools and transport links as close as the brochure says? Do you get the view that you want from your bedroom window?
Read the second of our New Home Buyers guide series to help to boost your credit score.
Next up, we’ll be calculating the cost of buying a new home, breaking down all the bills and fees you might not have thought about.
