Paige Neal
Design Specialist
Paige has a background in marketing and passion for design & home décor. She loves bringing different colors together to make a space beautiful and feel like home.
Personalizing your home is one of the most exciting aspects of your journey to homeownership. Our team is committed to making your studio appointment simple, engaging, and low-stress!
This check list will help you prepare for your appointment so you know exactly what to expect - don't miss the printable check list below ⬇️
1. Set Time Aside
A typical appointment for a build-and-personalize home is between 1 to 1.5 hours. Smaller homes can take as little as 45 minutes, especially if you have prepared in advance.
It is always best to block off a little extra time so you do not feel rushed. Please do your best to be on time and call your sales agent if you're running late or have to reschedule as soon as possible.
2. Schedule a Babysitter
Because the selections meeting is to personalize YOUR home, I encourage you to leave friends and family at home. Ultimately, you have to live with the colors chosen; too many differing opinions could cause you to second-guess your choices.
If you have children, I also recommend that you get a babysitter. The Design Studios are full of samples for brick, stone, tile and granite that are very heavy. In addition to the risk of being dangerous, your full attention is needed to successfully complete your selections.
3. Set a Budget
There are upgrades available in the studio that have additional costs associated with them - it is very helpful to have a budget in mind before you arrive, even if your choice is to spend no additional money. Upgrades will be paid for in progress payments before you close on your home. Learn more about progress payments here.
For example, our backsplash upgrade choices start as low as $60-100 and go all the way up to $1000-$1800 depending on the size of your kitchen.
4. Collect Inspiration
It is helpful to narrow down your preferences prior to our meeting. This includes not only what you like, but what you do not like. This can be helpful for your agent because eliminating what you do not like can make choosing what you love even easier!
What if you don't know what you like? Browse our available Homes for Sale, our Pinterest boards, or our Houzz profile to gain some inspiration! We also have many design blogs to help with the process:
- Interior Color Combinations
- Exterior Paint Colors
- Exterior Stone
- Exterior Brick
- Flooring: Vinyl vs Tile
- Countertops: Granite vs Quartz
5. Trust your Gut
Probably one of the most important things to remember: if you saw something online and loved it, do not let the sample in the studio change your mind!
Resist the temptation to keep looking for inspiration after you have made your selections. This often leads you to feel less confident and question what you chose. Inevitably, what you choose first is what will make you happiest.
It is also important to note that once you have completed your selections and left the studio, making a single change can cause the whole look to fall apart. By collectively choosing your colors, you know the look you chose is complementary and works well together. In addition, any changes made after the contract is signed will result in a $1,000 change order fee.
Remember to relax and have fun - this is one of the most exciting steps in the homebuying process! And don't forget that we are here to help. Any step of the process can be stressful if you let it, but don't be afraid to ask questions. We are experts in our field!
Come prepared with our Design Studio Check List!
