You've done it. Your Realtor® has helped you find the perfect community in the Jacksonville Florida area, lot and house plan and you've successfully negotiated the contract and now it's time to make the Design Center appointment and select Options for buying your new home.

Remember the model? Most builders fill their models with many upgrades that are not standard in their homes. Your Realtor and/or site agent no doubt pointed out what was standard vs. upgrades. If you see something you really like, make notes to ask the Design Center personnel or the site agent. Sometimes they will have to price it for you. Your agent can help you by reminding the builder's representatives to get the cost.

Now it's your turn to create your dream home.

Design Centers usually have Preview Nights where you can come and look at their selections, take notes and compare with options you liked in the models you saw.

Remember, at any time during the process of looking through models, seriously narrowing down a community, negotiating the contract, or preview nights, when you see something you like, be sure to get the cost or cost estimate of upgrades.

It is possible to go into your Design Center appointment almost knowing what the total cost will be if you have done your homework. Don't let resistance of sales people keep you from finding out these important answers. It's the hidden costs of a house that can put you over your budget.

Here are some tips for getting the most out of your Design Center and Options Dollars:

1. Find out what most people are putting in their homes in your community - the site agent and design center person will be able to tell you. It's imortant not to upgrade too much or too little. Think resale. When your home ls listed for sale, how will it compare with other like homes on your neighborhood? Remember, the best house on the best lot at the best price will sell faster.

2. Some upgrades are better done by the builder.

3. Some can wait until later and you will save a bunch of money.                  

4. Builders mark up options 25-30%.

What options or upgrades are the most important?

Structural options - and those were selected at contract. If you can't do anything else, do the important structural options. A covered porch is so important in Florida. Surround sound pre-wire is inexpensive but so worth it. Adding a third bath or third car garage is usually a good investment for resale. Believe it or not, fireplaces are relatively popular here in North Florida. We love ours!

Big ticket options - Kitchens and baths sell houses. Don't skimp on cabinets in kitchen and baths and please select some nice tile work in the master bath at a minimum. Some people don't want to deal with counters after they move in, so they do these with the builder. Flooring can wait but if you can afford it and don't want the hassle, just do it!

Electrical and Plumbing options - Jetted tubs, coach light pre-wire, pool pre-plumb, fan pre-wires

Appliances - Some buyers like to put the refrigerator and even washer/dryer in the mortgage. Check out the cost-effectiveness of this before ou do it.

What options can wait?

Flooring - For some reason, builders charge exorbitant rates for hardwood flooring. We know they mark everything up 25-30%, but flooring seems even higher than that. Many people just put carpet down and do the hardwood after settlement. Tile is more reasonable and you can find some nice selections even in a Level 2 tile.

Counters - This can be done for less money also, but some buyers just don't want to fool with it after moving.

Appliances - If you look at the real cost of putting these in the mortgage, you will probably opt to just buy them yourself. 

Fencing - Builders do not like to put up fencing and they charge a lot of money. This can definitely wait.

Gutters - Heaven only knows why builders do not put up gutters here where we can get 2" of rain in under an hour.  Some builders will put up a gutter in the front of the house, but it is a rare one who will install them all around the house. This is an option they also do not like to do, so expect to install these after settlement.

Blinds - Sometimes builders will offer blinds at a decent price as an incentive. Check their price vs. the local blinds company or Home Depot.

True Story

A well-known broker for a major builder in Orlando built a fabulous house in a gated neighborhood. She put in vinyl flooring, builder grade carpet and Formica counters. The house was at least a $700,000 house, mind you, probably more. The day she closed, she ripped out the flooring, ripped out the counters and installed stone floors, hardwood floors, upgraded carpet and granite counters.

What does that tell you? If you have the cash, shop wisely at the Design Center and contract the rest yourself after settlement. Or, if the thought of having people traipsing through your home makes you grimace, then the builder's mark up might be worth it after all.

Enjoy your time at the Design Center selecting options for your house. With planning and good advice, you can both enjoy your new home and have made a prudent investment for resale.

If you're thinking of buying a new home in Jacksonville Florida, we can help you answer these and other questions about "Design Center and Options" We work in the Jacksonville area, specializing in Clay County and portions of St. Johns County and Duval County.  Call or text us at 904-673-2308 or email us at sharon@teamalters.com.

Part 1 - How Can a Realtor® Help Me?

Part 2 - Should I Buy a Spec Home or Build?

Part 3 - Choosing a Community

Part 4 - Choosing Your Lot and House Plan

Part 5 - Negotiating the Contract and Financing

Part 6 - Design Center and Options

Part 7 - Build, Walk(through) and Close!