In our latest podcast, we asked lifestyle and property influencers Elliot and Matt, and estate agent and property consultant Matt Nicol, for their top tips on how buyers can get the most out of that all-important viewing, as well as their idea of the perfect property and why people are looking for their forever home earlier.
Virtual viewing is a must before the show home tour
The way people view and buy their homes has changed dramatically over the last two years with virtual viewing and 360 tours becoming more and more popular.
Matt Nicol says: “Video content and virtual tours are a given now. It gives buyers a bit of comfort, and actually they feel like they know a little bit about the property before they step over the threshold.”
Elliot adds: “Not everyone’s got the time to travel three hours out of their way to go and see a show home and not every development has a show home of the home they’re looking to buy. People can actually see what their home could look like without having to leave their front door.”
Top tips on viewing a show home
Elliot and Matt suggest always having a good rummage: “We suss out all the storage, we look where the loft hatch is, if it’s got an outside tap,” says Matt. “Look at the functionality.”
They say it’s all too easy to get taken aback by the expert designing of a show home that you can forget to consider where you’re going to put the bin or the shoe rack. So think about the little things too.
Matt Nicol agrees: “Floorplans are great, but getting into a house you can look at a room and think ‘that could be different’.”
They suggest thinking about what your wants and needs are before you view a show home: whether it’s a USB plug point beside your bed, or where the hidden TV connection is, or upgrades like underfloor heating.
Which Redrow home is your favourite?
For Elliot and Matt it’s definitely the Harrogate four-bedroom home. They’re even remodelling the downstairs of their own home based on its design – although we say they might want to avoid the stress of doing up and get the real thing.
“For me, it’s definitely the Harrogate with that L-shaped kitchen, dining, living; that for me is the dream,” says Elliot. And Matt adds: “It’s incredible, it’s almost like the control station. You can sit or stand at the island and you can see into the dining room, you can see into the living room. For us it’s the perfect layout and perfect combination.”
People are looking for their forever home earlier
Moving house can cost money and few people want to pay stamp duty costs and removal fees every couple of years so getting it right now, and finding a house that can change with you, is vital. That’s why, among other things, you should take time when you view a show home, and ask about the area and its amenities, according to Matt Nicol, who reveals now is a good time to buy.
To hear more from Elliot and Matt, and Matt Nicol, about show home tours, watch our podcast now or stream it later on Apple podcasts, Spotify or YouTube.
If listening to our podcast guests has inspired you to find your own new home, why not book an appointment to explore a Redrow show home today. You can find your nearest development.
