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Where Do We Start?
Here are some general guidelines for “RESEARCH VISITS” which
will help you collect enough data to make your final decision.
Prior to venturing out, you’ll need to purchase the following
items that will be valuable to you in preserving and reviewing
your collected data.
The fifteen pocket folder is your “bank” of information on the
communities you visit. The first thing to do is set up the first
file and mark it OUR OLD HOUSE. In this file, make a sketch of
your current home’s floor plans with room measurements. Go to
the library and make eight copies for future use. Also include
the measurements of your biggest pieces of furniture so that you
will be able to make sure they will fit into the new home.
Kingsize beds, dining room tables, hutches, china closets, and
other pieces that you are not going to part with must be
measured.
Now, hopefully, you have data from various publications, like
this magazine, and have at least five or six places to go visit.
One approach I recommend in selecting your first “target”
community is to go to one that you have NOT heard so much about.
If you go to the “hottest” place in town, it may be difficult to
be objective with your evaluation of some of the smaller
communities you will visit. Sizes of front gates, amount of
waterfalls and square
footage of clubhouses may be impressive, but may “blind you” to
other more important
considerations. Take some time to visit the older communities in
your area at the beginning of your research. How were they
constructed 10 or 15 years ago? It will make you appreciate the
strides we have made over this explosive
growth period.
When you have the first new community picked out, plan a weekday
visit if possible
(rainy – even better, because the salesperson will have more
time for you).
Enter the community gates as if you were a visitor and proceed
past the sales center.
Take a slow drive around the community. Open the windows of your
car and take in al
that your senses will allow. Notice:
• The condition of the homes
• The variety of model types
• The streets and lighting
• The landscaping on occupied homes
• What are the residents doing?
• Where are the cars parked?
• Are there trucks, boats, sheds?
• Where is the clubhouse?
• Stop the car and LISTEN
• Are residents waving at you?
• Are the houses close together?
• Are the house colors mixed well?
• How does the grass look?
• Where are the garbage cans?
• Are there trees in common areas?
• Do any lots look especially good?
• Is there good and clean signage?
• Was there a guard or security car?
• Do you see satellite dishes?
• Are the homes’ elevations varied?
Return now to the Sales Center and park. You will likely be
greeted by a receptionist. Most sales professionals agree that a
quick introduction to the community by
the salesperson is the best way to begin your relationship with
your possible future builder. If the receptionist just hands you
a
brochure, you are not getting the maximum amount of information
from your visit. So, in that event, ASK if you can speak to a
salesperson first. They will be more than happy to invite you
into their office and give you a
quick rundown on the community and the models you are about to
see. You may even find out something in that first
three minutes that eliminates the community from your
target list.
With the preliminary information known and the model brochure in
hand, it’s time to go
through the models.
If this community is like most, there will be a few things in
common that you will have to
remember.
• Most well-designed communities now have a standard product
model where you will be able to see the standard grade (not
color) of carpeting, padding, vinyl
flooring, kitchen cabinets, countertops, lighting, fixtures, and
appliances. This makes it much easier when you are trying to
predict what your model of choice will cost.
• The models are usually arranged
with the smallest first moving to the largest last. That also
corresponds to the pricing
levels as well.
• Options and upgrades on most models are not clearly marked.
This is primarily because it would look like a used car lot
instead of a home if they did. You will have to rely on the
salesperson to explain the
options to you when you return
to his or her office.
• Models may or may not be on standard size lots.You will have
to ask the salesperson what the spacing between homes is and
what the standard lot sizes
are.
If you have five to eleven models to take in, it is pretty
obvious that you will have to narrow it down first before you
start getting out the tape measure. What you are trying to
determine is if you can “picture yourself” in the home. That’s
all you want to do on this
visit. My recommendations to you for your model walk-through are
listed next:
1. Walk slowly and walk together
with your spouse. If you separate, you may miss an important
feature for THEM.
2. Look at the overall appearance
and condition of the outside of the model. The roof, the siding,
the windows, the front door and key lot. Does it look as if it
has been kept well and cared for by the
builder?
3. Pay attention to the quality detail in the home. The paint
job, the drywall work, chair
rails, countertops, sliding doors and windows. Be critical but
understand that thousands of people may have been
through the model before you.
4. In each room, stand there and see how it “feels.” Am I
comfortable here? Is this
room too small for its purpose?
5. “Picture” yourself living in the
home.
6. Proceed through all of the models in the same manner. Don’t
look at the price sheet. That is not why we are here today.
Today, we just want to see how it “FEELS.”
7. When you get to the floor plans that you know make sense for
you, you can be more specific in “picturing yourself” living in
these homes. Will your furniture fit? Will the grandkids have a
room to play in? Can your
husband work in the garage and still have
his car inside?
8. After the last model has been viewed, and while still in the
model area, think back to see which one or two you liked
best and mark them and spend a few more minutes thinking about
whether or not these
could “work” for you and your retirement
needs.
9. Now return to the Sales Center
and wait until your salesperson comes out to get you. To
conclude visit number one,
you want to get answers to the following "First Visit
Questions," IF you like what you have seen in the model center.
First Visit Questions
• Can I have a list of options in the model that
we liked? What is the base cost of the model?
• Is there a full list of options?
• What are the standard warranties on the
home and its components?
• What is the size of th community? What is the
status of homes completed and homes sold?
• Can you tell me about the builder?
• Is there a more complete brochure we may
have?
• What is your standard build time?
• Do you have sale of home contingencies?
• Which is your most popular model?
• When do you anticipate being sold out?
• When is your next price increase?
• Do you have any purchasing incentives?
• Where is the nearest shopping mall?
• What are the nearest recreational activities?
• Why do you feel this is the place to buy?
• Where will your next community be built?
• Can we have a copy of th resident’s
association newsletter?
• What are the rules and regulations of the
public offering statement?
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