Preparing for Your Model Home Visit: 4 Essential Steps

So you’re considering buying a new home and you’re thinking it’s time to schedule a model home visit. While it may sound as simple as hopping in the car and heading straight to your nearest new-home community, it’s an important part of the process that requires a lot of thinking. Before you make that drive to the model home, take a look at these four steps to help you prepare for your visit.

1. Start With a Checklist of What You Want in a New Home

If you don’t yet know what you want, you could be visiting dozens of model homes before you find one that speaks to you. Save yourself some time by creating a checklist for yourself:

• What kind of location are you looking for?
• What kind of commute do you prefer?
• Do you have a desired school district?
• Are there certain community amenities that are make or break for you?
• What’s your desired architecture style?
• Which options and upgrades are must-haves vs. wants?

“The individual needs to have their five main reasons they’re making this move.”

2. Do Your Research

Once you have your checklist, narrow down communities and builders using resources like Pre-ConstructionHomes.com or builder websites. Key considerations include:

• Matching your preferred style with builder offerings
• Researching neighborhood crime stats, walkability, and proximity to public transit
• Understanding your budget and speaking to a lender

“Visiting the surrounding community is some of the legwork that should be done before visiting a builder’s model center.”

3. Keep an Eye Out for Upgrades

Model homes showcase professional design choices to inspire buyers. Remember:

• Focus on craftsmanship: check flooring alignment, cabinet quality, and molding details
• Use your imagination to visualize your own style in the space
• Note which finishes reflect the builder’s quality standards

“We encourage buyers to envision their own style and how they see themselves functioning as a household.”

4. Ask Questions

Use your visit to clarify key details:

• Request a standard features list to compare with model upgrades
• Ask to view unfinished spec homes for a clearer quality assessment
• Inquire about timelines, community amenities, and selection processes

“Take notes, photos, and compare standards to what you’ve seen in the model. This will help you make the most informed decision.”