Visiting a Showhome - Things to Keep in Mind

Buying off the plans? Visiting a showhome could be a key part of your house hunt and can tell you a lot about the property you could end up with.
With that said, you need to be prepared to get the most out of your visit. To help you get started, we’ve put together a list of the top 8 things to keep in mind when visiting a showhome.

1. Think About What You Need

Before you visit a showhome, it’s a great idea to think about what you want your home to look and feel like. When you get to the showhome, keep that list top of mind and consider whether the space is ticking all your boxes.

2. Ponder the Floorplan

Some people love open-plan, single-storey floor plans, while others are all about split levels and privacy (or somewhere to hide away from the kids). Think about what your ideal floor plan looks like and consider what you like and don’t like about the show home's layout, as there are often different layout variations. This information can come in handy when it comes time to build or buy your new home.

3. Find Out What’s Included

If you look around a showhome and love what you see, keep in mind that everything shown might not be included. In fact, showhomes often include a combination of ‘base package’ features and ‘extras,’ which increase the purchase price and cost of the build. Ask a real estate agent you trust or the showhome attendant what the story is.

4. Ask Questions

Buying a home is a massive commitment, so don’t be shy! Ask as many questions as you want about the developer, the showhome, the progress of the build, and how close the end product may look to the showhome.

5. Take a Closer Look

Visiting a showhome is a bit like an audition. The developer is trying to show off what they can do to impress you so that you want to buy their properties. But you shouldn’t let them off the hook easily. Take your time when visiting a showhome and look closely at all the details such as:

• The quality of the painting or wall coverings.
• Waterproofing and sealing around fittings in the kitchen and bathrooms.
• Whether or not cabinets are finished to a high standard and doors are hung evenly.
• How much noise you can hear from outside when the doors and windows are closed.
  Paying attention to details like these is key. If a developer gets it wrong in a showhome, they’ll probably do the same when they build your property.

  6. Take a Tape Measure

  Got furniture that needs to come along when you buy a new home? Or do you need a certain amount of space? No worries! Feel free to bring a tape measure along to make sure everything’s going to fit.

  7. Research the Developer Beforehand

  Before you even visit a showhome, it’s important to know as much about the developer as possible. Check out their website, talk to your real estate agent, check any testimonials, and visit their completed projects. You could even talk to an existing owner of one of the developer’s properties. They’ll be able to give you the most informed, unbiased opinion.

  8. Take Your Visit with a Grain of Salt

  Showhomes are meant to show off the quality of a developer’s work and the feel of their design aesthetic. They are not always exact recreations of properties that the developer is selling, so when you visit, take what you see with a grain of salt.
  Ready to start visiting showhomes and searching for new builds? Or just need a little advice before you get started? Get in touch with SM Property for unbiased advice from NZ’s new build experts.