The model homes do give you a bad representation. I remember looking through a model home and was in awe and when I walked outside saw the door open to a home that was just finished and decided to walk inside. It was night and day. I am not an interior decortor and realized no matter how hard I would try, I would never be able to get that plain home to look half as nice.
I do scoff when I see upgrades listed like
-brass door handle
-pewter spout in bathroom
-special cabinet handles etc…
Basically for me the key points that I would want the builder to put in would be
1. Nice cabinets
2. hardwood in certain areas
3. Kitchen sized correctly.
I would pass on the upgrade applicances since they are way cheaper.
