It’s more than a home tour.
You’ve browsed online and done your fair share of driving through your dream communities. It’s time to see your favorites up close and personal. Come for a tour and see what sets Meritage Homes apart.
Tour a Meritage Home.
Found a floorplan you love? Take the next step in your home search with a tour and a model home walk-through.
Tour Like a Pro
You’re looking for a house that you can call your home. Search with confidence—let these helpful tips serve as your guide.
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Make your lists.
First, walk through your current home, room by room. Make a list of "must have" features. Next, consider and document all of your questions that relate to the homebuying process. Try to capture this list over time rather than on the day of your search. This will allow you the time you need to explore your questions.
Know your budget.
It's important to set realistic expectations before you fall in love with a home. Use our affordability calculator to help your budget, or take it on step further and determine your purchasing power by getting pre-qualified. Using that knowledge, find the communities and floorplans that will best fit your needs.
Ask yourself, "does this community feel like me?"
Spend some time inspecting the neighborhood and surrounding area to make sure it's a match for your lifestyle. Are you satisfied with the nearby grocery stores? Area restaurants? What about nightlife and entertainment?
Also, make sure to use the city's website to research what's planned for the area around your potential new home, including new roads, amenities, zoning changes, etc.
Research school districts.
Living in a reputable school district means better teachers, better academic programs, and better outcomes for kids and communities. Even if you don’t have kids, a high-performing school district can help your home maintain its value over time. Visit GreatSchools.org to see how the schools rank near your potential new home.
Drop in or make an appointment.
While you’re welcome to drop in and visit any of our Meritage community locations, we recommend scheduling a Meritage Home tour appointment via phone (844-860-7365) or live chat. This will ensure your sales associate can provide you with an in-depth tour that will provide you with a one-on-one experience and truly showcase the home and community features available while giving you ample time to ask any questions you may have.
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Get a feel for the neighborhood.
How do you feel when you step out of your car? How much noise can you hear from highways, airplanes, trains, or other people? Are there any neighborhood residents out and about, enjoying the community? Take it all in and make notes on your first impressions.
Visit the most important spaces first.
If you’re crunched for time, head straight to the rooms that are most important to you. Is the master bedroom spacious enough for you? Is there space for that home office you’ve always wanted? Does the kitchen feel like the perfect spot to entertain friends and family? If these rooms work for you, it’s a good indication that the home is worth investigating in more detail.
Utilize your sales associate.
If you’re ready to start the search for your new home but need some guidance, our sales associates are here to share their knowledge about our homes and communities, financing, and the entire homebuying process. Utilize this time together to ask anything and everything on your mind. Already have an agent? We’re happy to partner with them, too.
Bring your list.
Bring your prepared list of questions with you that define your “must have” features. Ask any and all questions during your tour — we’re here to help. A few key questions to consider:
● What amenities are provided in this community?
● What are the major energy-saving features of this home?
● What’s included in the price of the home?
● Why have past buyers purchased with you over other builders?
Take your time.
Try not to race from model home to model home. After each home, take about a few minutes to write down what you liked and didn’t like while it’s fresh in your mind. Then align those notes to your Pinterest board (see the “Take lots of pictures” tip), paired with images.
Pace yourself.
When it comes to finding your perfect home, remember that this is a marathon, not a sprint. If you feel yourself getting tired, don’t be afraid to stop and come back to your search another day.
Take lots of pictures.
Bring your phone or camera to take as many pictures as your storage allows. These will help you remember the different homes and features you like the most. Even better, create a Pinterest board where you can house the pictures and add your notes. Tip: don’t wait to do this. Do it while it’s still fresh.
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Take a tour of the area.
After your home tour and once you’ve had a chance to more closely consider the homes you saw, cruise around the neighborhood and surrounding area. Is this a place you could see yourself living? The more you know about the location, the more comfortable you’ll feel answering this question.
Follow up
Can’t remember the name of a home you toured? Want more information on energy efficient features? Don’t be afraid to reach out to a sales associate for any follow-up information you need.
Rank and prioritize
Take some time to rank the homes you saw. Look through your photos and notes and try to narrow it down to the top three you’d like to look at again. Keep your “must haves” list in mind, but also remember the core four: location, price, floorplan and lifestyle.
Dig a little deeper
Once you've found a community and home you love, do a little more digging. Research the quality and reputation of your homebuilder. Don't be afraid to expect more from your homebuilder - this truly is a partnership.
Begin the next steps.
Found the house you love? Start the process of making it your home by applying for loan approval. Once you’re ready to make a deposit, you’ll sign a purchase agreement and the house will come off the market, bringing you one step closer to becoming a proud homeowner.
Design your home.
You found an incredible home in a great community. Now it's time to make it perfect by adding your personal touches and home design ideas that celebrate your style and personality.
Personalize
Flooring & fixtures
Add style and texture to your home with premium flooring choices, including carpet, hardwood, natural stone or other options.
Personalize
Counters & cabinets
Counters and cabinets create a focal point in your home. See examples in a variety of materials to find what you love.
Personalize
Paint & trim
Paint color and trim go a long way in evoking the mood and tone of your home. Select options that match your personal style.
Personalize
So much more
When it comes to selecting your home design options, we’re here to help you achieve your vision, every step of the way.
Thank you for your Interest in Meritage Homes
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