Most people checking out the real estate market have never heard of buying a display home, and that’s a shame. After all, buying used is well known to save money in so many other markets, so why not in real estate? A buyer who opts for used jeans, or a used car, is seen as savvy or even eco-friendly. There are plenty of incentives to buying used that apply to buying a display home as well, regardless of what salespeople who want you to buy a new car or a new home would have you believe.

With that in mind, let’s take a moment to extol the virtues of the model home and see why, if you’re in the market for some new real estate, it may just be the best option for the buyer in you.

A model home is less expensive than a new home but is all decked out.

The best thing about asking a builder about their model homes is that you get more amenities for less money. Who doesn’t love savings? Model homes are often outfitted with the best and brightest of the amenities at hand, as well as a modular and easy-to-adapt floor plan so that a salesperson can show potential buyers all the wonderful things a builder can add to a new home. That means that, by checking out display houses for sale instead of buying a brand new model, you’re getting the most impressive countertops, kitchen cabinets, and all the rest. However, builders will also usually sell a model home for less than a new home because it’s been walked through by multiple buyers. If you don’t mind that, you can get the home of your dreams for a sale price.

There are a time and a place for buying used.

Of course, if you have your heart set on a brand new home, you may not feel comfortable buying a model home, no matter what discounts are involved, just like you know when to buy a used car from a dealership to get the best deal (the end of the month), and when to buy a new car because you’ll get the best deal on that from a dealership (the end of the year), you know if you want a new home or a model. For instance, if you have a young family and are just starting, maybe a used car and a display-type home are right for you. If you’re financially stable and want something shiny, a new home and a new car are the way to go. The best time depends on your personal situation.

A great deal on reliability.

Part of what getting the best amenities means is that you get more value in terms of reliability. You can get granite countertops, stainless steel waterfall showerheads, and ceramic tubs, all for unbelievable discounts. Steering yourself towards these high-quality products means more reliability, which adds up to peace of mind. Even if your home has been through more than a few open houses, you can’t put a price on peace of mind.

At the end of it all, you want to buy the home of your dreams, and why shouldn’t you? You’re not getting into real estate to settle. Take your time to peruse some open houses in your area, and maybe even take some virtual tours of properties for sale. Listen to what salespeople have to say, but listen to your own internal compass even more. Whatever you do, don’t rule out the model option. Prospective buyers can get a great deal by keeping an open mind when buying a builder’s display house.