Looking to build your dream home – or simply just dreaming about it? 💭

We recently visited a Southern Homes model center to learn all about the home-building process. From personalizing our future digs to learning about the ~30 years Southern Homes has been a trusted hometown builder right here in Lakeland, here are our home-building chronicles with what we tried, the types of floor plans available, how long it took + all the #ProTips you need.

Grab your hard hats, Lakeland –here’s what we learned + how you can #TryThis. 🏡

Experience:

Visiting a Southern Homes model center to learn about the home building process

What we tried (with pricing):

We visited Southern Homes’ English Creek Model Center (6203 Pinewood Village Circle, West Lakeland, FL 33811) –– it doesn’t cost anything to visit a model center (full list of centers here) + explore your options.

Our visit included:

A quick home building 101 session with lifelong Lakelander + Southern Homes New Home Specialist, Drew Fulmer, who taught us how effortless building a home can actually be, with the right company. 😉
Checking out 23 different floor plan options that range from 1,176 sq. ft. to 4,000+ sq. ft., and getting insight on which floor plans are most popular for each type of home builder (first-timers, empty-nesters, etc.). As first time homebuyers/builders, our personal fave was The Roanoke.
Ways to personalize our dream homes. Prefer the ever-so-popular open living area concept to cook + watch the big game with family at the same time? There’s a “game” plan for that. Looking for an inset lanai to bask in the Florida sunshine? You’re covered. How about an immaculate owner’s bath where you can soak all your troubles away? Done and done. There’s a smorgasbord of options to choose from for each floor plan.
A walkthrough of the model home with Marketing Director Ashley Link, where we got to dream about what our homes could look like and sort through floor, wall + other options. Check out our Instagram Story for a BTS look at our tour.

Kitchen personalization options in Southern Homes’ English Creek model center

Don't miss:

The up to $20,000 in free upgrades Southern Homes is currently offering. According to Drew, this is their best promotion yet. All-over indestructible vinyl floors, anyone?
Closing costs = paid by Southern Homes. Why does this matter? Closing costs can average 3-4% of the purchase price of a home. So bless up on this price cut.

What we’re still talking about:

Stressed out about financing? Here's the thing: Being in the community for ~30 years gives Southern Homes an extra advantage of having relationships with well-known lenders in the community like MIDFLORIDA Credit Union + FBC Mortgage. Let that put your mind (and wallet) at ease. 😌
The accommodations – and no, we’re not just talking about the houses. No matter what your time frame or style for home building + buying looks like, Southern Homes representatives have both move-in-ready homes (with $0 closing costs) + can build almost anywhere in Polk County – including on a lot you already own.
The base price includes the lot. That’s what we’d call two birds, one homey home.

Potential children’s room or guest room in Southern Homes’ English Creek model center | Photo by LALtoday

Things to know if you go:

Experience: Visiting Southern Homes’ English Creek Model Center to learn about the home building process
Price: Free to visit and talk with a Southern Homes representative
Website: https://www.mysouthernhome.com/contact-us#model-centers
Address: 6203 Pinewood Village Circle, West Lakeland, FL 33811
Hours: Mon., Tues., Thurs., Fri., Sat.: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Wed.: 1-6 p.m.; Sun. 1-5 p.m.
Social: Facebook | Instagram | Youtube
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