It's easy to fall in love with a gorgeous model home. But when it comes time to select fixtures, colors and finishes for your own home, will your homebuilder make the experience as enjoyable as possible for you? After all, that's one of the best parts of building a new home. When you are evaluating homebuilders, make sure they don't fall short in the design selections process. As a homebuyer, what approach would you prefer?

The catalog approach: Try to visualize how your design selections will look together based on photographs in a binder and small samples of flooring, countertops, etc. Select from limited samples in an office or a room in a model home.

The drive-around approach: With a limited "allowance" for each category of selections provided by your homebuilder, drive from vendor to vendor to choose your options. Although you will be able to see and touch many options, you won't be able to see how each selection fits with the overall look and feel of your home.

The design center approach: Go to one location where you can see, touch and compare all of your options in a relaxed showroom setting. View model kitchens and bathrooms where you will see new design trends and how all of your choices will work together. Lay out your chosen selections side-by-side to see how they will coordinate and create the look you want.