Visiting a display home is one of the best ways to get a look and feel of what your future home could look like - but only if you know what to look for.

As a local builder in Townsville who has created (and sold) multiple display homes, we’ve seen too many home buyers (especially first-time buyers) make the mistake of running through our display homes without truly understanding what is on offer.

To save you time and ensure that you end up with the best possible outcome for a new home build, we’ve put together a list of the essential things to look for before you visit a display home.

1. The right time to visit

Consider visiting on a weekday rather than on a weekend. Weekdays tend to be less crowded. Having too many people in the display home can impact how it feels, not to mention make you feel rushed to check everything out.

A quieter walkthrough offers more time to ask questions, take measurements, and speak with sales consultants. It also gives a more honest feel of how the space flows without being interrupted by background noise and movement.

2. Flexibility in the floor plan 

Some builders don’t offer any option to change the floor plan, while others may do so at a cost.

Ask the builder if they accommodate changes to room sizes and layouts. This will help narrow down the options that match your ideal home configuration.

Aside from finding out if you can adjust the floor plan to your needs, it's also worthwhile finding out whether the cost of doing so is worth it. You may be surprised to learn that some builders charge high costs for minor changes to the floor plan.

3. Features, not cosmetics 

Display homes appear fully furnished, but it’s not the furniture nor the colour of the walls that you should be looking at, as these elements are variable. Instead, you should look at the features of the home that will be difficult to replace, like the doors, windows, flooring, installed cabinetry, ceiling heights and so on. 

These features determine how comfortable, efficient, and durable the home will be in the long run. Look at how natural light flows into rooms, how sound travels within the home, and whether the layout offers sufficient privacy and storage. 

4. Standard inclusions and upgrades

Keep in mind that the display home may showcase upgraded features that are not included in the base price (fittings and finishes, paint, joinery, carpet, etc.). This will help you understand what is included in the base price and what other fees or extra costs may come up down the line.

Ask for a complete list of standard inclusions for the build to get a realistic idea of what the builder offers. Compare the list of standard inclusions between builders - a marginally higher-cost package may offer significantly more value than a cheaper package due to the inclusion of premium features in the base price.

5. Quality of fixtures and finishes

The quality of fixtures and finishes in the display home reflects the builder’s attention to detail and overall build quality. Builders use display homes to demonstrate quality, so any fittings you see will likely reappear in the actual build. 

Touch surfaces, open drawers, test cupboard doors, and look under sinks and behind doors. Imagine that the display home is your new home and assess its quality with the same level of scrutiny. 

6. The overall feel of the space

After walking through the entire home and taking notes and photos of the nitty-gritty details, spend some time trying to envision how it would feel to live in the house. Consider regular routines like getting ready for work and house cleaning, and determine whether you anticipate any issues with the home's layout based on your preferences.

Visiting a display home offers you the chance to physically move through the layout, so take the opportunity to do that and let it factor into your decision-making. After all, your future home should feel natural and comfortable for years to come.

If you are looking for a future home in Townsville, Keir Constructions is proud to present two display homes: Bella Display Home in the North Shore community and The Palms Display Home in Harris Crossing. Our Townsville display homes showcase our award-winning home designs and high-quality construction. Get in touch with us today to book an appointment to visit our stunning display homes.