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Some of the most exciting choices homebuyers make when building a new house concern the layout and design of the interior of the home. This stage is so important because the choices you make for your home’s interior will greatly affect how you use it.
Before you Begin
The first step is to notice what works (or doesn’t) in your current living space. Many of us do this without even thinking about it, but when you are buying a home it’s helpful to be deliberate about this. Have you grown your family, or are you planning to? You may want extra bedrooms. Do you have children who have trouble sharing a bathroom? If so, adding bathrooms may be a priority. If pets are a part of your life, you may want a layout with a mudroom or a large bathroom on the main level.
It’s helpful to have a baseline of necessities and wants—a set of “must haves”. For example, four bedrooms and three baths may be absolutely essential, while an office and an extra garage space might be on your wish list, but not a deal breaker if you can’t find a way to get them. A plan like this, with room for flexibility, will help homebuilders help you.
When you choose one of the master-planned neighborhoods by Hillwood Communities for your new home, you will have helpful tools on that community’s website to help you understand all the homebuying options available to you. This will help you visualize the home designs and configurations that are available to you in the community you have chosen. You can spend time reviewing images, videos, floorplans, virtual tours, and more to help you think about what you want and finalize your priorities.
Designing a Home in Hillwood Communities
You’ve already selected the master-planned community that you want to be a part of. Next, you need to focus on “designing” the home that’s right for you.
Some buyers begin by choosing a builder they want to work with. This can be a great way to buy a home in a Hillwood community. Each of the builders for that community will have a model home on site. You (and your realtor, if you choose to use one) can visit each builder’s model home where you can learn about their available home inventory within the community, and homes that will be available soon.
Some builders will also have home sites available that you can learn about. The builder’s representative can show you the home designs that can be built on their available homesites. Not every home design can be built on every lot. While this may seem limiting, it also means that the overwhelming number of choices gets narrowed down, making your decisions easier!
If your Hillwood community of choice offers an interactive homefinder tool on its website, you can do a lot of your home shopping virtually. Your virtual home shopping experience is much like the in-person experience. You can view the builders’ available home inventory and if the community has available homesites, you can view a selection of home designs that can be built on each lot. If available, you can use filters to narrow down the design selections based on number of bedrooms, bathrooms, garage spaces, square feet, price, and builder.
When you click into a home design, you see its floorplan. How does the plan mesh with what you have in mind for your home? Think about where your furniture might go in each room. Does the floorplan have the flow you desire? Does it have all your must haves? If not, keep looking. If it does, move to the next step in the “design” process, which is to select an exterior.
Take a moment to examine the differences between the exteriors. One design many have a long porch across the front of the home, another may have a taller, arched front entryway, and a third may have a different roof profile or a different configuration of windows. Are you a front porch sitter? Which window style do you prefer? Imagine how each style will look with your personal touches or decorated for the holidays!
Once you click on an exterior style, you see a community map, with all the available homesites where this home design can be built. Where do you want your home to be? On the corner? That can have its advantages, like a larger lot and a bigger yard. Maybe you prefer to be right in the middle of a block, so you have neighbors on all sides. When you look at the community site map, note the path you will take to its amenities, to any local schools, parks, and any other routes you may travel frequently.
When you select a lot, you can view its lot fit diagram, and you can see a complete list of the home’s features, its address, and information on how to contact the builder’s representative. You can save the design as one of your favorites and also request that the builder’s rep contact you, if you prefer.
Don’t worry if you can’t decide on just one home design at first. It may take you more than one visit to a community, or several exploration sessions on the website, for you to finalize your dream home’s design. But be sure keep in touch with your realtor (or the builder’s representative) so you can learn of any developments at the community such as new quick move-in homes that will soon become available!
A quick move-in home is one that is already under construction or nearly complete and is available for purchase. You may find a quick move-in home that suits your needs perfectly. If that’s the case, then your job is done and all that’s left to do is move in and start arranging furniture and hanging pictures!
Finalizing Interior Selections
If you choose a home design that will be built on an available homesite, there are still a few more steps required. You will go through a selection process with the builder’s representative to make some decisions to design the inside of your house. Some Hillwood community sites have interactive design tools so you can experiment with pre-selected color and finish packages for the interior of the home. Whether you prefer cool colors or a bolder look, there are options professionally prepared for you to choose from.
Depending on the builder, you may be asked to go to the builder’s showroom and be guided through the selection process there. Most of our homebuilders will provide assistance by recommending elements that go well together and some even have virtual design software so you can see how the finished layout looks before finalizing your decision.
Visit Hillwood Communities Today
Making all these decisions about your home may be difficult, but the end result is so rewarding! And the sooner you get started, the sooner you can enjoy your beautiful new home. Hillwood Communities has designs for a wide range of budgets and styles, and we would love to help you find your dream home and begin making memories. Contact us to hear how we can help you make your dream home a reality.
