What Should I Look for When I Tour a Model Home in Pace or Milton?

Look past the decor to what you'd actually be buying: what's included in the base price, the lot, the community around it, and the drive. A model home is staged to sell the builder's homes. It's useful for seeing a floor plan, but the home you buy may look different.

Vivian Corwin is a bilingual Realtor and Military Relocation Professional with IXL Real Estate Florida in Pensacola, FL, helping military and relocating families buy and sell homes across Pensacola, Pace, Milton, Gulf Breeze, and Navarre. I work directly with D.R. Horton, Adams Homes and Holiday Builders, and new construction is one of my specialties. Bring me to the model home on your first visit and we'll look at it together.

Often, a lot of them. Builders show their homes at their best, so the model may include finishes and features that cost extra on the home you'd buy.

Ask the sales team to show you exactly what's included in the base price, what costs extra, and when your choices lock in. Then compare the home you'd actually get, not the one you toured. Builders sometimes negotiate on upgrades, incentives or closing costs, so it's worth knowing what's on the table before you talk price.

The lot is the part you can't change later. Look at where it sits in the community, what's behind it, and how much yard you'd have. Builders release new phases and lots over time, including Holiday Builders in Jubilee in Pace, so what's available changes from month to month.

My post on choosing the right lot goes deeper.

• The community. How much is finished, and what's still being built. Some areas are still developing, and that matters for daily life and for resale.
• The drive. In Milton, how the drive works to Whiting Field or Pensacola. In Pace, the route you'd take every day.
• The school zone. In Pace especially, buyers care about the Pace High School zone. Confirm the zone for the specific address, not the community name.
• The monthly cost. HOA dues, homeowners insurance and property taxes, not only the price.

See new construction in Pace and new construction in Milton for more on each town.

• What's included in the base price, and what in this model is an upgrade?
• When are selections due, and when can they no longer change?
• What's the estimated build schedule, and what happens if it slips?
• What deposit is due, and when is it refundable?
• Can I bring my own inspector, including before the walls are closed up?
• What warranty comes with the home?

Write the answers down. Builders use their own contracts, and the deposit and delay terms matter most if you have a move date.

Yes. Builders make mistakes too. I schedule independent inspections, including before the walls are closed up if the builder allows it, and again before closing. The final walk-through gets any fixes listed in writing before closing, while the builder can still fix them.

• Falling for the upgrades. The model may not match the base-price home.
• Signing in without your own agent. Bring your Realtor on the first visit, or check in with them before you go.
• Ignoring the lot. It's the one thing you can't change later.
• Skipping the drive. Try the route at the time of day you'd actually take it.
• Not asking about delays. If you have a move date, the delay terms matter most.

Read why to have your own Realtor for new construction before your first visit.

Here's an example of how I lay out the steps. It shows the process, and it isn't a real client's story.

• Before the tour. Your goals, your budget and your timeline, and your pre-approval.
• At the model. We tour together and sort the standard features from the upgrades.
• The lot and the community. We walk the available lots and look at what's still being built.
• Side by side. I compare the builder's offer with nearby resale homes in detail.
• Your call. If it's the one, we negotiate and review the contract before you sign.

Is the model home the same as the home I'd buy?

Not always. Models often show upgrades that cost extra, so ask what's included in the base price.

Should I bring my Realtor to the model home?

Yes, on your first visit, or check in with your Realtor before you go.

Can I negotiate on a new build in Pace or Milton?

Often, yes. Builders sometimes negotiate on incentives, upgrades or closing costs, especially on homes that are already built.

Do I need an inspection on a brand-new home?

Yes. An independent inspection can catch mistakes while the builder can still fix them.

Vivian Corwin is a bilingual Realtor and Military Relocation Professional with IXL Real Estate Florida in Pensacola, FL, helping military and relocating families buy and sell homes across Pensacola, Pace, Milton, Gulf Breeze, and Navarre. I sit on your side of the builder's table. Let's talk about your goals and your timeline before your first model home visit.

See how I help new construction buyers, or schedule a time to talk with Vivian.