Model Houses

Model houses are another great way to find the home of your dreams. Model houses are a great opportunity to see all of the different amenities you've read about during your planning (read: dreaming) live and in 3-D.

For those of you who haven't been dream home shopping yet, I should describe the model home tour process. You'll find model homes in most new communities. Sometimes there will be two or three models; other times you'll see more like ten or fifteen. These homes are built so that potential homebuyers will have the opportunity to view the builders' finished products as well to help homebuyers who are going to purchase a home in that community choose the model that will suit their family's needs.

When visiting model homes, sometimes you will have to enter what I call "Model House Row" through the sales office at one of the models. After answering some standard questions from the salesperson, you will have access to the rest of the houses. You can look at each one, or skip any that don't interest you. When Husband and I first started looking at houses, we only looked at 1 1/2 story and 2 story homes because we knew we didn't want a ranch. Later, as we worked to ironing out more details related to interior design we looked at all of the houses. Pick whatever system works for you.

At other model home communities, you won't ever even see a salesperson, unless you want to. In these communities, the sales office is still housed in one of the model homes. But entering through that home isn't required. In these settings, if you're "just looking," you could just avoid that house. The model homes in these communities are sometimes dispersed over a slightly large part of the community.

I do have to mention a little bit of model home etiquette, though. First, come prepared to do something with your feet. Either take your shoes off or use the booties that are usually provided at the front door. Eventually someone will be purchasing that model home and they don't want to have to immediately replace the carpets.

Second, as you inspect the home feel free to open drawers and cabinets. I like to see how things work. But remember that this isn't your home. So treat things gently.

If you're even just starting to think that purchasing a custom-built home might be for you, I would strongly suggest checking out the local model home communities right away. Nowhere else will you able to see so many design options in one location.