Display Home Tips for Australian Buyers | Walt Collins

31st July 2023

Finance & Budgeting Pre-Construction Design & Trends

Tour display homes with confidence. Buy to Build host Walt Collins shares how to compare floor plans, check inclusions and choose a design that suits your block.

6 display home tips for Australian buyers from Walt Collins

A display home can make it easy to picture yourself in a new house. But will your sofa fit the living room? Does the quoted price include the higher ceilings you loved? And what will you actually see through that big window when the home is built on your block?

On the Home Building Hub podcast, Colin Bischof and Darren Brennan spoke with Walt Collins, host of Channel 10’s Buy to Build, about what he’s learnt from filming in display homes around Australia. Here’s how to put his advice to work on your next visit.

1. Walk through a floor plan you’d normally skip

If you’ve always pictured a double-storey home, walk through a single-storey design. If you’re set on one big open-plan living area, try a layout with a separate lounge or rumpus room. Walt suggests stepping outside your shortlist early, while you’re still figuring out which features matter most.

Imagine a weekday afternoon at home. Could someone take a work call while the kids watch TV? Is there enough room for two people to work, or is the study nook really a bench in a busy hallway? Think about the rooms you’ll use every day before deciding where you want the most space.

2. Picture your own furniture in the display home

Display homes are styled to draw your eye. Walt’s advice is to mentally clear the rooms and picture your own belongings in the space. Bring the dimensions of your sofa, dining table and any other large pieces you plan to keep.

• In the living room, check where the sofa and TV would go and whether people can walk past comfortably.
• In the dining area, picture pulling out the chairs while someone walks through to the kitchen.
• In the laundry, look at where the appliances, laundry basket and storage would fit.

If a room feels generous, check its dimensions on the plan for the version you’re considering. A display home is easier to compare when you know the sizes you’ll actually be working with.

3. Ask what’s included in your builder’s quote

The sales consultant can explain the floor plan and show you where the display differs from the version you’re pricing. Ask them to walk through the home with you and point out features such as higher ceilings, extra windows, skylights and upgraded bathroom fittings.

Ask which features are included in your quote, which are optional and what your preferred upgrades would add. Request a written list of inclusions and itemised upgrade prices so you can compare builders using a similar set of features.

4. Think about how the design will sit on your block

Walt recalls buyers on Buy to Build who initially wanted a full wall of glass opening to the outdoors. After considering where they’d build and how they’d use the space, they preferred a design with a smaller sliding door.

If you like a large window or a particular indoor-outdoor layout, ask the consultant to show you how it would sit on your lot. Which rooms would get daylight? Would the window look onto your garden, a fence or a neighbour’s wall? Walk the block and consider the outlook, privacy and exposure before you settle on a plan.

5. Try a walkthrough of the version you’re considering

Walt discusses virtual reality and full-scale floor plan walkthroughs as ways to get a feel for a design. If your builder offers a virtual walkthrough, ask to see the version with the ceiling heights, windows and finishes you’re considering. A full-scale floor plan walkthrough can also help you judge how much space you’ll have around a kitchen island or along a hallway.

6. Check what’s confirmed around the estate

If you’re looking at land as well as display homes, Walt suggests asking when any advertised shops, schools or road connections are expected to open. Ask which projects are confirmed, who’s responsible for delivering them and where you can check their status. Visit the block more than once so you can judge the location based on what’s there today as well as what’s planned.

Glossary

• Standard inclusions

  • Features and finishes included in the builder’s quoted specification.

• Upgrade

  • An optional change to the quoted design or specification, usually at an additional cost.

• Orientation

  • The direction a block or home faces, which helps determine when different rooms receive sunlight.

• Full-scale floor plan walkthrough

  • A life-size layout you can walk through to get a sense of room sizes and how spaces connect.

Frequently asked questions

What should I bring when visiting display homes?

Bring a shortlist of must-haves, measurements for furniture you want to keep and a copy of your lot plan if you have one. Take notes on the layout, room sizes and features you’d want included in your quote.

Can I build the same home I see on display?

Ask the builder which version of the floor plan is on display and whether it suits your block. Request a quote and specification for the version you want, including any display features you’d like to keep.

Should I visit display homes before buying land?

You can visit early to learn which layouts you prefer. Once you have a shortlist of blocks, ask the builder to show you how your preferred design would fit each lot, including where the driveway, living areas and main windows would sit.

Key Takeaways

• Tour a layout outside your shortlist and picture how your household would use it.
• Compare room dimensions and written inclusions for the version you’re pricing.
• Check daylight, privacy and outlook on your own block before settling on a design.
• Verify the status and timing of proposed estate amenities before relying on them.

Watch or listen to the full Home Building Hub episode with Walt Collins on YouTube.

About the Home Building Hub Podcast

The Home Building Hub podcast, hosted by industry experts Colin Bischof and Darren Brennan, is Australia’s premier resource for new home buyers. With weekly episodes featuring special guests, the podcast provides objective, high-quality insights into the home building process - completely free and without sales pitches. From understanding financing options to navigating the complexities of building a new home, each episode is packed with actionable advice and tips. Explore more episodes at http://www.homebuildinghub.com.au and join our growing community of informed home buyers.

Disclaimer

This article was generated by AI based on a transcript of our podcast episode and may contain inaccuracies or omissions. Whilst we’re all about providing value to you, this article should not be considered as legal or financial advice. It contains general information only and is based on the content discussed during the podcast episode. This information is relevant to the episode’s release date and may not be applicable at the time of reading. Always seek independent professional advice tailored to your personal situation before making any legal or financial decisions.