Before you buy
Show home secrets
by Sharon Davies How many of us have looked around a show home only to be put off by the draylon sofa and the pastel curtains? Realising that potential buyers favour a more 'lived-in' look when viewing show homes, house builders and property developers are increasingly turning to the skills of the interior designer to give their homes the right feel. Whether it's a modern loft-type apartment or a family home, interiors experts are frequently being asked to decorate show homes. A well-planned interior not only gives potential buyers more of an idea of what the property will look like when lived in, but clever use of colour and lighting, stylish furniture and fancy accessories, all give a show home an attractive appeal.Competition
So what's caused this latest trend? Competition between property developers has never been so intense. So, in an effort to make their properties as appealing to potential buyers as possible, developers have gone for the creative element. Designers use various tactics to give each home the right feel. For example they will mix old and new furniture (after all, that's what most people have) plus some interesting and eclectic furnishings and wall coverings. They even throw in personal accessories, anything from a pile of magazines to toothbrushes and perfume bottles, all to create that homely feel. It might sound bizarre, but it seems this new tactic is working. According to Berkeley Homes, well-designed show flats have convinced buyers to buy even the priciest of properties within weeks of coming on to the market. Some buyers get so carried away by the show home that they offer to buy the home together with all its contents.
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