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Daily Real Estate News | Monday, March 25, 2013
New home buyers get to make a lot of choices in the construction of their homes, from the glaze on the kitchen cabinets to the stain of the floor and even color of the tile grout. But all that ability to choose can cause some buyers to feel overwhelmed, a recent article in The Chicago Tribune notes.
The article highlights tips from builders and designers for helping to smooth the selection process for new-home buyers:
Figure out the process: How will the buyer choose their finishes and how much time will they have to do so? Some builders have an in-house selection center, while others may require buyers to visit various stores—from the plumbing showroom to the tile store—to choose the options for their new home. Also, what will be the timeline for buyers to choose? Will they need to make all their choices before construction begins or as needed during the construction process?
Stick to a budget: A budget can quickly go out the window when selecting options for a new home. Buyers need to focus on products and styles in their price range. “That way if you are not doing granite, you don’t go to the granite selection,” says Chris Naatz, vice president of sales and marketing for D.R. Horton's Chicago division.
Keep an idea file: Tear out photos you like in design magazines and collect color fabric swatches, suggests Christy Whelan, director of sales for Airhart Construction. Encourage home shoppers to visit web sites like Pinterest and Houzz to gather more ideas to help them determine what they want their new house to look like.
Don’t just go for what’s ‘in’ today: What’s popular today may be “out” tomorrow so buyers may not want to just follow the fads. Buyers who will be purchasing a home for a shorter-term investment, in particular, may want to stick with classic designs, says interior designer Kristin Petro, owner of Kristin Petro Interiors in Elmhurst.
Source: “The finishing touches: Choosing interior finishes,” The Chicago Tribune (March 22, 2013)