Deciding to build a new home can sometimes feel like a leap of faith. Many times, a new homebuyer will have toured a model home and maybe a few move-in-ready homes. They’ll have looked at virtual tours and floor plans. But the vision of their home may still be hard to visualize.
That vision starts to focus during their design center visit. Most of our divisions have design centers where homebuyers can see, touch, feel and visualize the finishes in their new home. In fact, some of our award-winning design centers have or are undergoing renovations to make sure they are up to date with the most current design trends that our homebuyers are hoping and dreaming of.
For many homebuyers, the design center visit can be one of the most exciting parts of their homebuilding experience. (For people who love watching design shows on television, it’s very similar to a dream come true!) But what exactly should homebuyers expect when they visit a design center?
At Eastwood Homes, our homebuyers can expect to spend approximately four hours at the design center picking out their finishes. If your new home will have a third floor or a finished basement, you should plan for a longer visit.
Homebuyers will usually visit the design center within two weeks of contracting their new home, but that may vary especially during peak construction times.
When our new homebuyers arrive at our design center, they will be greeted and welcomed into the showroom by our design specialists. Think of that feeling you get when you enter the new car showroom. If you’re like me, you usually want one of everything! (This still happens to me every time I visit our design center!) This is why it’s so important to know your budget (and if you have any wiggle room) before making this visit!
Future homeowners will review their chosen structural options for their future homes with our specialists who are trained to ask questions to help them get to know your wishes and needs. They will also ask about that all-important budget so they can help keep you on track.
Generally, you’ll start your selection process by choosing exterior color selections. Some of these choices can include HardiePlank color selection, brick/stone color, and shutter and trim choices. This will be the point where you’ll really start to envision your home and what it will be like to pull into your driveway after a long day at work or at soccer practice with the kids.
Next, you’ll begin to choose your interior design options. This can be an extensive – and exciting – process! Do you want brushed nickel faucets or oil-rubbed bronze? How about hardwoods, carpeting, or luxury vinyl plank for your flooring? What about light fixtures? What color granite and which of our gorgeous cabinets will look best in your home and fit your design preferences? How about a trim package? Coffered ceilings in the dining room? This stage of the process is truly what sets our homes apart from some other inventory builders who don’t offer nearly as many of the design choices that we do at Eastwood Homes. You’ll have enough choices at this stage in the process to make your home feel like a custom-built home, and to turn it into your dream home.
After picking out selections for the outside and inside of the home, our buyers will then move behind the walls for some high-tech design. They will meet with our low-voltage experts to discuss wiring throughout the home for phone, cable, surround sound, and data.
After all of the new home selections have been made, our design center specialists will put together a list of the chosen options for review. Changes generally can be made within one week of design center selections. Our specialists will end the appointment by assuring our future homeowners that they are available for any initial changes and for any questions they may have throughout the process.
For our divisions that do not have a design center, our homebuyers will make their selections with our New Home Specialists who will walk them through each of their choices. They will have samples to choose from for their selections, such as granite and flooring choices.
Have more questions about designing your new Eastwood home? Let us know in the comments section below!
*This is intended to be a general overview of the design center process. The selection process and timing may vary by division. Be sure to ask your New Home Specialist for specific instructions.
It's back to school time! We’ve scoured the internet for some practical, implementable back-to-school organization hacks that will make the mornings and evenings easier in your home. From school binders to homework stations, hopefully, these household tips will help your family ace the new school year.
Whether it be the random (and painful) Lego on the floor, the endless Barbie accessories found around the house, or markers, crayons, and glue sticks found in between couch cushions and under the dining room table, parents know that toys are everywhere! We highlight a few of our toy-tested organization tips that will help keep parents and kits clutter-free!
Home offices are at the top of must-have lists when considering a new home. When it comes to decorating these spaces, the practicality and necessity of the space often overpower the design. Sometimes, the office makeover involves a coat of paint, and nothing more. Yet, in reality, this is the space where the professional magic happens, and it should be as inspiring as possible.
