Buying a Show Home - what do you offer?
Discussion
We are seriously considering buying the 'show home' on a nearby development. There are a couple of identical properties for sale, but the show home is in better location/aspect etc.
So, what is the PH massive view on the best way to go about an offer? Its not been 'released' yet, and may not be for a couple more months, but Mrs LT and I are discussing tactics.
As you would expect its fully furnished, because its a show home. Most of the decoration/flooring is to our taste, but having been round it again yesterday, we have noticed some scuffing on paintwork and a scratch on the high gloss kitchen cupboard door.Should we insist that some re-decoration is done & the cupboard door?
The furniture is not all to our taste and most upstairs (beds etc) we dont want/need. They may only be offering this place as sold as soon, including all that is in it, but that it still to be determined.
So, do I base an offer on the same price as the other houses of the same design, plus a some (how much?) for the fixtures & fittings? Or should I discount the basic house price because its been 'used'? - scuff marks, dirty carpets (sales people dont seem to insist that shoes are removed!)
So, what is the PH massive view on the best way to go about an offer? Its not been 'released' yet, and may not be for a couple more months, but Mrs LT and I are discussing tactics.
As you would expect its fully furnished, because its a show home. Most of the decoration/flooring is to our taste, but having been round it again yesterday, we have noticed some scuffing on paintwork and a scratch on the high gloss kitchen cupboard door.Should we insist that some re-decoration is done & the cupboard door?
The furniture is not all to our taste and most upstairs (beds etc) we dont want/need. They may only be offering this place as sold as soon, including all that is in it, but that it still to be determined.
So, do I base an offer on the same price as the other houses of the same design, plus a some (how much?) for the fixtures & fittings? Or should I discount the basic house price because its been 'used'? - scuff marks, dirty carpets (sales people dont seem to insist that shoes are removed!)
When we do fitted furniture for a developer we always offer to supply the showhomes with free standing furniture as well.
A lot of developers take us up on it and use it as a bargaining tool - we probably get the furniture back 50% of the time.
There are some firms that just rent all the house dressings to equip a showhome, so it really depends how they have done it.
As its a new build they will expect to come back and snag areas after a short while, as things settle down and move - so any decorating issues should be sorted. They should leave a house, even the show home in an as new condition so the kitchen door should be changed too.
A lot of developers take us up on it and use it as a bargaining tool - we probably get the furniture back 50% of the time.
There are some firms that just rent all the house dressings to equip a showhome, so it really depends how they have done it.
As its a new build they will expect to come back and snag areas after a short while, as things settle down and move - so any decorating issues should be sorted. They should leave a house, even the show home in an as new condition so the kitchen door should be changed too.
Reminds me of when a mate of mine bought his house. It was the show home and the last one left. He went in low ball and got the house. Everything went through nicely and exchange was completed with no fuss. On purchase day he chips up with his truck full of stuff to find the whole house as he viewed it, beds, sofas, picture frames, glasses the lot. took him about 3 hours to empty the house into the garage before he could move in 
worsy said:
Reminds me of when a mate of mine bought his house. It was the show home and the last one left. He went in low ball and got the house. Everything went through nicely and exchange was completed with no fuss. On purchase day he chips up with his truck full of stuff to find the whole house as he viewed it, beds, sofas, picture frames, glasses the lot. took him about 3 hours to empty the house into the garage before he could move in
Hopefully I wont forget to ask! The furniture will be in the garden, the car has priority.Gassing Station | Homes, Gardens and DIY | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff