Buying a new build home; especially one off-plan that isn’t complete, means it can be tricky to get a feel for what it will be like in reality. One of the first steps in buying a brand-new property is visiting the show home designed to help people see what the development will be like. Some house builders are providing 1-2-1 show home visits by appointment during lockdown and with restrictions set to ease more opportunities to view developments will soon be on the horizon.

Show homes tend to be built at the edge of new developments. They are designed to showcase the highlights of the properties which will be built. They often double up as marketing centres and are the hub of sales for the other properties on the development. The show home is designed to make the houses as marketable as possible, so it is important to keep this in mind. Design tricks will be used to make the properties look as desirable as possible so here we’re assessing what to look for when viewing a show home.

Arriving on Site

When you first arrive on site you should take in the local area and surrounding neighbourhoods to get a feel for it but also keep in mind:

Site Condition

Take the time to look at the site and see the condition it is in. Have a look around the development and see if it’s looking properly managed. Bear in mind this will be a working site so isn’t likely to be spotless, however you should get a feel for how well run and professional the site development is looking.

Wider Area

You should be able to take a look at the full site plan and see what provisions are in place beyond the buildings themselves. Look for open spaces, park land and any planned play areas. In some developments there may even be some community developments such as shops, health facilities and similar.

OUTSIDE SPACE

Not all gardens and driveways will be the same dimensions on new-build sites. Ensure to ask specific details about the size of these on available plots. Your wish list may include room for two cars on the drive or a south facing garden so be sure to consider the space outside the property before you get carried away with planning the interior.

Inside the Home

Once you’re inside the property, you can get a real feel for the development and room layouts. Make sure to check for the following things:

Energy Efficiency

Ask to see a copy of the home’s Energy Performance Certificate. This will give you an indication of how energy efficient the homes will be. This can in turn help you to estimate utility costs and work out whether the property fits your budget.

Personalising the Home

There are some elements of the show home which can be changed in your “forever” property. Elements which can be personalised may differ from developer to developer. Dependent on the stage of the build you may be able to choose the kitchen and bathroom finishes, as well as additional features like electrical socket location and positioning of radiators.

Furniture Dimensions and Fitting

Make sure to take measurements of any large items you plan to move into your new home. You will want to be sure your furniture will fit well and not look out of place in the new property. You should also see what storage is available so you can plan the organisation of your new home.

Additional Questions & Queries

There are some other questions you’ll want to ask developer representatives while visiting the show home. Remember to ask about:

Timescales

New developments take time to build but you should be able to get an estimate on completion and when you may be able to move in. You may want to move in as quickly as possible, but some developments may need a little longer to complete. Be sure to ask the representative if there have been any delays or recent changes to the development schedules.

Warranty Cover

Make sure to check the level of warranty provided on the new home. You should see whether the development is covered by the NHBC ten-year Buildmark Warranty so you have protection for some wear, tear and repairs on your new home.

Council Tax Banding

To help you budget for the new property, knowing the council tax band will help too. The sale price of the house can be an indication, but it isn’t always correct so ask the developers while you can.

Viewing a show home can be an exciting way of looking into the future and seeing the potential of your new home. You may arrange to visit several different developments to get a feel for the one which suits you, so remember to keep these tips in mind as you move from site to site.

Booking a professional snagging inspection once your chosen home is nearing completion helps you ensure your home is built to the highest of standards for the years to come and avoid any costly surprises once your warranty period expires. Whilst we aim to make online booking as simple as possible we are always happy to answer any your queries via email, phone, WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger.

Top Tips for Show Home Viewing