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Will My New Home Look Like The Builder's Model?

By
Real Estate Agent with Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com SAL.2002007747

You're thinking about building a brand new home and you pull into a new development and walk into the model home. (of course you're visiting AFTER you let your buyer's agent know, right??)

It's stunning isn't it?  It's just got EVERYTHING!!

That kitchen??  Just beautiful, fancy cabinets, counters, farm sink, that island in the middle and those high end appliances?

Cincinnati patio home

Wainscotting and plenty of carpentry flair! 

Hardwood floors in the latest style.

Wow, those lighting fixtures!!

Painting in the latest fashionable palette and just how much did they pay the decorator to put this place together?

And that master bath with the HUGE custom tile walk-in shower and let me count all those shower heads??

And that man cave downstairs with the media center?  You might NEVER leave the basement again! 

Seriously, this home has ALL the bells and whistles and it can all be yours...for a price!

 

Because here's the reality, the builder's model home is a showcase.  They've going to put the best of everything in front of you and it's a bit Faustian as the builder's job is to tempt you to add all the things that aren't standard in the home.

Because here's the second part of the reality, the base home is a far cry from the model home.

Yes, the home includes some hardwood flooring, but it may stop after the foyer.

Those kitchen counters aren't standard as granite or quartz.  And the builder might have 10 levels of cabinets and the base price is level 1, so you're NOT getting anything but plain.  No roll-out shelving, no soft close drawers.

The basement is unfinished to start with and the option list for what you can do there is very long.

The master bath that looks like a picture from Architectural Digest also isn't the norm.  That killer shower CAN be yours, but you have to buy the "super luxe bath" package to get it.

Now it's true some builders do a nice job of appointing their homes from the start. We see the well appointed base model more commonly with Cincinnati patio homes, but even there you can spend significant sums above the base price to get your dream home just the way you want it.

It's critical to understand what the value-added options are and what maybe you should decline entirely, or which options might make more sense to do later.

If you EVER need to sell your home, the choices you make now can literally make or break your ability to sell your home later.

Need help choosing the right builder, community and options?  That's why we're here to help. Just contact us at 513-520-5305 or Liz@LizSpear.com.  We look forward to hearing from you!


Serving Cincinnati home buyer and seller needs,
Liz and Bill aka BLiz

 

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Serving Warren County Ohio & Adjacent Areas

The Liz Spear Team of Transaction Alliance
Elizabeth Spear, ABR, Ohio License SAL.2002007747

William (Bill) Spear, Ohio License SAL.2004011109  Kentucky 77938
Ask for us by name if you visit the office!

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Comments (8)

Gloria Valvasori, Accredited Senior Agent
BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS REAL ESTATE SIGNATURE SERVICE - Mississauga, ON
REAL Experience | REAL Commitment | REAL Results!

Very true!  They show you the highest end of their product to entice you to spend more money on upgrades. Not only that, but charge you extraordinary prices to add the extras. If you sub-contract those items you can get them for a lot less money. 

Jan 12, 2017 05:01 PM
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

   This is why Buyers need a Buyer's Broker when they are looking at a model home.  What are they really buying?  Aside from the extras that you mentioned, they won't be getting the rented furniture and the "staged" decor.

Jan 12, 2017 06:06 PM
Steffy Hristova
HomeSmart Elite Group Tempe AZ Tel: 602.710.8161 - Tempe, AZ
Tempe AZ Realtor - Your Home Close to Your Work!

It's always a great idea if the Buyers can also look at some of the homes that are being built for other homeowners in the subdivision, and close to completion. Not always available, but worth trying to see non-upgraded versions of the house.

Jan 12, 2017 07:32 PM
James (Jim) Lawson, DBA
DomainRealty.com LLC - Bonita Springs, FL
Broker Associate, RSPS, BPOR, HI & PE

This is an interesting topic Bill and Liz.

Since the cost of extras can be significant in many markets it is important to remember that there are alternatives. A talented DIYer can turn a bland stripped-down house into a showplace at his or her pace and budget. Combine this with furniture and decorations of the buyer's preference and you can end up with the wow effect. 

Ironically, I have seen cases where homes with many extras were nearly gutted by the next buyer even though those extras were still vogue and judged attractive by many.

Seems like many folks want to make their home a manifestation of their personalties and their are several pathways; yours, mine and hybrids.   

Jan 12, 2017 10:48 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Good information!  Buyers need to understand that like any seller strives to show the possibilities of their property, and for a new home builder, that can include upgrades that the buyer may not have in his budget. 

Jan 13, 2017 04:53 PM
Liz and Bill Spear
Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com - Mason, OH
Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs

Gloria, True, some things can be done later and at a savings.  Other things you still want to do up front even knowing they might be done at a premium cost.  (e.g., who REALLY wants to do a complete kitchen gut and redo later unless they have to?).

Steffy, True, seeing the "normal" vs. the builder's model might add some perspective as to what is a good choice and what is overimproving for the neighborhood.

Jim, I know with our own home we bought a resale that wasn't that old, but over the years we've owned it we have literally changed almost everything.  The only project left is a complete kitchen gut and remodel, and that's happening this year.  After that, no major changes left to make!

Kathy, If nothing else the model home showcases the buyer's capabilities, even if it doesn't make sense for the buyer to contract for them.

Jan 14, 2017 06:05 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Liz and Bill Spear ,

Excellent post on the reality of purchasing a builders home. A buyer's agent can point out what the actual home comes with and advise them on where the price is going with all the available extras! They are not representing the seller.

Jan 14, 2017 09:38 AM
Liz and Bill Spear
Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com - Mason, OH
Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs

Dorie, And depending on the builder the base home and the model home can be worlds apart.

Jan 14, 2017 12:50 PM