Sometimes there’s just no substitute for the real thing. Some potential homeowners can get all the information they need about a new home just by looking at floor plans or by perusing some pictures. And that’s great—if that works for you.
Some of us, however, prefer (make that need) to see an actual wood-and-drywall-and-concrete example of the place that might be our home for the foreseeable future. If that describes you—and you’re considering building a new home in the East Rochester area, you’re in luck!
We’ve got a number of model homes in the areas around Canandaigua, Webster, Ontario and Perinton that will let you get “up close and personal” so that you can see first-hand exactly what you’re getting into. You can walk through the homes, get a sense of perspective, and get a feel for what these homes really feel like.
However, when you take a tour of a model home (whether it’s one of ours or someone else’s) it’s good to do more than just look. It’s also good to ask some questions so that you walk away with more than just an impression.
Here are five questions to ask when looking at a model home. You may come up with more, but these will give you a good start in deciding if what you see is what you should get.1. Do you really like the home—or just the way it’s decorated? It’s easy to get a bit distracted by the décor and presentation of a model home. We’ll be honest—we builders want the models we build to look as nice as possible. That’s not a bad thing (and it’s also a good way to pick up decorating tips!). But don’t let the curtains or interior paint or furniture arrangement get in the way of the big picture. You should choose the right house—not fall in love with the decorator!
2. Can you envision this home in a different location? Our model homes are all for sale, but they can also be built elsewhere. Is the location of the model right for you? Does it place you in good proximity to schools, work and other activities? Is the area around the model one you really like?
3. Does this floor plan fit the lifestyle of your family? Professional designers and architects design these homes to look good. That’s part of the plan—but only part. Just because a home is aesthetically pleasing doesn’t mean it’s the right floor plan for your family. Do the rooms flow into one another the way you want them to? The kitchen may be “cute” but does it function the way you want it to? Look beyond the obvious.
4. What can you modify without dramatically changing the basic floor plan? What if you like the basic layout of the home—but want to make a few changes to make it more “yours?” Are the changes that would make you happy feasible? Are they big changes that significantly change the structure of the house (and the cost), or are they minor changes that a builder can easily accommodate?
5. Can you actually afford this model? Sometimes prospective homebuyers get into a situation where their eyes are bigger than their bank accounts. It’s easy to fall in love with a house that seems to be everything you want. But if you get yourself in over your head financially, your dream home can end up being a nightmare.
Touring a model home can be a big help. But you should let the experience guide you—not drive you. And if you don’t find exactly what you want in a model, use what you learn. There are plenty of other plans out there that can deliver exactly what you need.
.png "NY Custom Home Floorplans (1)")
