The holiday season is just around the corner, and if this is when you’re planning to visit display homes, you might find your dream house. Since you have enough time off from work, scheduling visits to display home is great. In addition, as the holiday season approaches, you can get discounts and other great deals.
But if this is your first time visiting display homes during the holiday season, there are many things you should consider and prepare. As you know, many other aspiring homeowners choose to visit display homes during this time due to these great deals.
So, if you want to be prepared, here are some tips you should do before you visit a display home during the holidays.
1. Check Holiday Schedule
Usually, holiday businesses adjust their opening days and hours during the holiday season. It allows them to prepare and cater for more customers. This includes display homes. If they expect a large number of visitors every day, they might be closed on some days. Due to these changes, you should check the schedule first before heading out. Usually, display home organisers have social media pages or websites that you can check for updates.
2. Plan Your Visits in Advance
Where do you want to go first? Are you planning to visit multiple display homes in just one day? Before things get too busy, it’s best to map a clear plan of where you want to visit first, and how long are you going to check per house.
Although it’s not recommended to visit multiple display homes in one day, you can still try, especially if the locations are close to each other. On the other hand, if you need to travel far away before reaching the second destination, it’s best to schedule it for another time.
3. Avoid Peak Times
Holiday visits are convenient. However, other visitors might also think the same. Usually, people schedule their visits around Christmas or during the weekends. So, if you don’t want to be there at the same time as many other interested parties, avoid visiting at peak times. Instead, try visiting on weekdays, in the afternoon, or before lunch.
4. Take Notes and Photos
Although it’s fine to visit again, taking notes and photos is recommended, so that you can compare one property to another. This is especially a must if you’re planning to visit multiple display homes in one day.
So, as part of your preparations, don’t forget to charge your phone or bring a camera, a small notebook, and a pen. Of course, you should ask for permission first before taking photos.
5. Consider the Staging and Decorations
Since it’s the holiday season, the usual decoration of display homes is all about Christmas. So, instead of giving in to the wonders of Christmas decoration, you should consider what is underneath. In doing so, consider the functionality and layout despite the heavy decorations surrounding the whole place.
Of course, the current decorations and interior design are the ideal suggestions according to experts, but you can also create your style.
6. Check Out for Special Offers
The holiday season is filled with discounts and great deals, and it’s not just in good, but also when buying a property. Before taking a pick, consult with the sales representative or real estate agent about the ongoing promotions. If there are any, you can ask for the details, which can help you compare them with other properties, and make informed decisions.
7. Think About Your Timeline
How’s your timeline in terms of buying a property? If the holiday season is your only time to look for your dream home, you should allot enough time for visiting display homes, closing deals, and moving in. If there are necessary adjustments, you should also set some time for the renovations or upgrades. In addition, since it’s a busy time of the year, you should also expect delays.
8. Enquire About Local Amenities
Aside from the property itself, there are other things to consider when buying a property. One of the most important factors to consider is local amenities. You need to know if the property you’re interested in buying has access to groceries, malls, hospitals, cafes, restaurants, and other essentials.
9. Bring the Whole Family
If you’re not the only one who will live in the house, it’s best to bring everyone along. If everyone feels comfortable hanging around the property, then it has a great potential to be your next home.
Besides, if only one makes the decision, there are certain parts of the house that others don’t want, so you should be aware of their comments, reactions and suggestions. At the same time, this can be a great bonding experience, and you can get to know each other more.
10. Be Prepared for Follow-Up Visits
Follow-up visits are a must. Besides, making another tour after the first one can help you decide whether you like the property or not. In some cases, the first visit may seem magical, but when you try visiting the place again, you might realise that it’s not really what you want.
Final Thoughts
Searching for a new home during the holiday season can be a fun experience. However, you should plan, and secure other essentials before your visit. By incorporating these tips when visiting display homes, you can find your dream home in time.
