Touring homes is one of the best ways to figure out what you like. If you’re visiting homes during the Fall Parade of Homes, use your time to look beyond the pretty finishes and pay attention to how each home works for you and your lifestyle.
Everything is fresh, the finishes are new, and it can be easy to focus on the beautiful kitchen, the flooring, or that dream primary suite.
But there is more to consider than what catches your eye at first glance.
Whether you are touring a model home, a quick move-in home, or a home that is still being built, taking a closer look at how the home is designed and what is included can help you determine whether it is truly the right fit for you.
Here are a few things to look for during your next new construction home tour.
1. Pay Attention to the Floorplan
One of the biggest advantages of new construction is the opportunity to choose a floorplan that fits the way you live.
As you walk through a home, think beyond the furniture and décor you see in a model. Imagine your own day-to-day life in the space.
Ask yourself:
- Does the layout work for your daily routine?
- Is there enough space for the way your family lives?
- Is the kitchen connected to the areas where you spend the most time?
- Where will you drop your keys, shoes, coats, and bags?
- Is the laundry room conveniently located?
- Do you have enough storage?
- Is there a dedicated space for a home office, hobby, or other needs?
A beautiful home is great, but a home that functions well for your lifestyle is even better.
2. Look at the Storage
Storage is one of those things you may not think much about until you don’t have enough of it.
During your tour, open the closets and cabinets. Look at the pantry, mudroom, linen closets, bedroom closets, and garage. Think about what you already own and where everything will go.
Don’t just ask, “Is there enough storage?”
Ask, “Will this storage work for me?”
3. Look Beyond the Finishes
Of course, the finishes matter. You want to love the way your home looks and feels.
But when touring new construction, take some time to look beyond the countertops and cabinets.
Pay attention to the overall quality and craftsmanship of the home. Look at the trim work, doors, cabinetry, flooring, fixtures, windows, and other details.
It can also be helpful to ask what comes standard with the home and what is considered an upgrade. Two homes may look similar at first glance but have very different included features.
4. Ask What You Can Customize
One of the benefits of building a new home is having the opportunity to make selections that fit your style and needs.
Ask what options are available for the floorplan you are considering. Depending on the builder and home, you may have choices involving cabinets, countertops, flooring, lighting, bathroom finishes, structural options, and more.
It is also important to understand what cannot be changed. Knowing your options early can help you choose a floorplan and homesite that work best for you.
5. Consider the Homesite, Not Just the Home
The house is only part of the picture.
Take a look at the homesite and think about how you want to use your outdoor space. Where will you spend time outside? Where will the kids play? Would you like room for a patio, garden, fire pit, or future landscaping?
Pay attention to the surrounding homes, streets, sidewalks, green space, trees, and other features of the community.
If you are building, ask which homesites are available and whether certain floorplans are better suited to specific lots.
6. Think About How the Home Will Feel Day to Day
A model home is professionally decorated to help you visualize the possibilities, but don’t let the décor make the decision for you.
Take your time walking through the home.
Stand in the kitchen. Walk through the bedrooms. Open the closets. Step into the shower. Look out the windows. Pay attention to the natural light and how the rooms connect to one another.
Try to picture a normal Tuesday morning, not just the day you move in.
Where will everyone get ready? Where will you have breakfast? Where will backpacks and shoes go? Where will you relax at the end of the day?
Those little details can tell you a lot about whether a home is a good fit.
7. Ask About Energy Efficiency and Included Features
New construction homes can offer features designed to improve comfort, efficiency, and long-term value.
Ask the builder what energy-efficient features are included in the home. This may include insulation, windows, HVAC systems, appliances, lighting, and other components.
Also ask about the builder’s standard quality features. Understanding what is included in the base price can help you compare homes more accurately and avoid assuming that everything you see in a model is automatically included.
8. Understand the Building Process
If you are considering building rather than purchasing a completed home, ask the sales consultant to walk you through the process.
How does the process work from choosing a homesite and floorplan to making selections, signing the purchase agreement, and eventually closing?
Ask about the expected timeline and what happens along the way.
You don’t need to know every detail before you get started. A good builder and sales team should be able to walk you through the process and answer your questions along the way.
9. Ask About the Warranty
A new home is a significant investment, so it is important to understand what happens after you move in.
Ask about the builder’s warranty, what it covers, how long coverage lasts, and how homeowners submit warranty requests.
You should feel comfortable knowing who to contact if a question or issue comes up after closing.
10. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions
This might be the most important tip of all.
You don’t have to know exactly what you are looking for before you walk into a model home. In fact, touring homes can be one of the best ways to figure out what you like, what you don’t like, and what matters most to you.
Ask questions. Take notes. Take photos if permitted. Walk through multiple floorplans. Compare communities and homesites.
And if you aren’t sure what to ask, tell the sales consultant that, too. A good sales team should be there to help you understand your options, not make you feel like you should already have all the answers.
Finding the Right New Construction Home
Buying a new home is about more than choosing a beautiful house. It is about finding a home, floorplan, homesite, and community that fit the way you want to live.
At JP Brooks Builders, our sales team is here to help you explore your options, answer your questions, and guide you through the process. Whether you are just beginning to look or already have a pretty good idea of what you want, we would love to help you find the right fit.
Ready to start exploring? Check out our model homes in the Fall Parade of Homes HERE!
