Design Time!

You’ve picked your lot, you’ve selected your floorplan, you’re under contract (Woohoo! Yay! Pops bottles!)  Now, it’s time to visit the design center to make all of the selections that make this home a reflection of you.  Super exciting yet super overwhelming and, while you have looked to Pinterest for inspiration leading up to this point, you’re left scratching your head wondering where to even begin.  First and foremost, talk with your agent!  They are your biggest cheerleader and are there to guide you through the process.  Lucky for you, I have compiled a few tips to help you feel a little more at ease and prepared to walk into the design consultation with confidence!

1. Know the numbers: Find out the average amount spent in selections and upgrades within the neighborhood and have your budget at top of mind!  Do not be afraid to share your price range with the design center consultant.  They should work with you to keep you within your desired constraints

   
   

2. Design, utility, and function are all important factors when making selections - the consultants will have a good pulse on both trends and materials; trust them to guide you, ask questions, as well as their opinion (be open to their response); after all, they most likely have a design degree!

   
   

3. Determine your focus rooms and spaces.  For example, the kitchen and master bath are both places where you can add a lot of value and, if you plan to sell the home down the road, chances are you will find the return on those upgrades to be quite beneficial

   
   

4. Have the builder do all electrical and plumbing work upfront rather than thinking you will wait and see once the home is complete; consider interior and exterior features - anything to help simplify your life and, potentially, the life of the next owner

   
   

5. If, for some reason your agent is unable to join you, take pictures of EVERYTHING and record all item numbers, model name/numbers, color codes, etc. 

   
   

6. Last but not least, embrace the appointment(s) and enjoy your time in the design center; this is the fun part of process and chances are you have more than one session so you can sleep on your selections to ensure they are perfectly you!

Of course, this is only scratching the surface (granite or quartz? hehe) but I can’t go around giving away ALL the secrets.  If you are starting out on your new home journey and considering new construction, give me a shout so we can talk through more ideas and suggestions!

Kelly Gilliam

Buyer Specialist
kelly@peterkima.com