It’s hard to know where to start when it comes to choosing a new home builder. There are so many different and important things to consider. But there’s one very simple thing you can do to get the ball rolling and have fun while you’re doing it! Visiting display homes is an easy way to start this exciting journey. Best of all, it’s absolutely free and you can do it at your own pace.
Visiting a display home is a fun and exciting way to start your home building journey!
Make sure you take the opportunity to chat with the sales consultants about your options.
Most people underestimate the enormous value of visiting display homes before choosing a home builder. Sure, you can jump online to look at home designs, pricing, builders’ credentials, plus much more, but nothing beats actually seeing the homes for yourself, checking out the quality of the construction, features and finishes, and having a face-to-face chat with each sales consultant. You’ll get a much better feel for which builders you feel comfortable with, and which homes feel right for you and your family. To ensure you get the most out of your visit, it pays to be prepared! Here are some handy tips to get you started.
Take virtual display home tours online
Many home builders now offer virtual display home tours online, so you can get a better idea of which homes you would like to visit in person. It’s a great way to create a shortlist of new home builders you may like to consider! Hallmark Homes offer a virtual tour of 16 beautiful home designs here.
Plan your time carefully
The display homes you want to visit may not be in the same area, so check out Google Maps to get an idea of where they are in relation to each other. Allow about 20 minutes to look through each display home, and another 10 minutes to ask the sales consultant any questions. Don’t make the mistake of allocating too many visits on the same day. This can be overwhelming, and it’s highly likely you may not remember much at all!
Choose the right locations
Consider visiting display homes that are relatively close to where you think you want to build, as you may go back multiple times to meet with your sales consultant. Hallmark Homes’ display centres are located in prime locations throughout South East Queensland, including Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast and Lockyer Valley.
Prepare questions & make a wishlist
It’s easy to get distracted by all the ‘bells & whistles’ when you’re visiting display homes. Many builders go all out when furnishing and finishing their display homes, but it pays to remember that many of the features you’ll see on display are upgrade options not included in the base price. So stay focused! If you’ve already made a wishlist and prepared some questions, it will be much easier to stay on track.
Set some time aside to revisit the homes that you loved the most.
Try to not get distracted by the “bells & whistles”!
Make notes & take photos
There’s a lot to take in as you walk through each display home, so make notes and take photos and videos, so you won’t forget what you’ve seen. It may all seem like a bit of a blur later on, and this reference will really help!
Ask yourself some important questions
Does the layout of the home suit the way you and your family live – now and in the future? Do the rooms flow from one to the next? How would furniture work in each space? What size beds will fit comfortably in the bedrooms? How do you rate the workmanship throughout the home? It’s important to be practical when you’re choosing a home builder, so asking these questions now can help you avoid disappointment later.
Consider floorplans not on display
It’s important not to disregard the builder just because you don’t like the floorplans on display. Remember that home builders usually have many different floorplans, and not all of them can be displayed. Instead, focus on factors such as the quality of the build, the level of inclusions and value for money. A good sales consultant will be happy to suggest floorplans that will suit your lifestyle, and talk you through them.
Chat to the sales consultants
Talking to each sales consultant will give you a feel for their level of knowledge and what kind of service you can expect during the build process. You may like to ask:
Check the builders’ credentials
Ask each sales consultant about the builder’s track record. You can also make enquiries about each builder via the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC). Hallmark Homes has maintained a spotless record for over 35 years, but not all builders can say the same, so it pays to check!
Visit your favourites again
Set some time aside to revisit the builders you liked the most. And compile a list of more detailed questions to ask each home builder on your short list.
INSIDER TIP: Display homes are built to impress, so make sure you find out if the home you’re looking at features standard inclusions or lots of added extras. And ask for the total cost of the house on display. At Hallmark Homes, we go to great lengths to keep our home styling simple, achievable and affordable, so you can still focus on the home design itself and whether it will work for you.
Hallmark has a display home you’ll love!
If you’re thinking of building a new home in South East Queensland, the best place to start is at one of Hallmark Homes’ 12 display centres. Conveniently located in highly sought after locations around South East Queensland, there’s sure to be one that suits you! If you have any questions about our single, double-storey, narrow block and acreage home designs or the house and land packages, please contact our friendly team today.
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