Prior to the real estate downturn, touring a decorated model home was a mainstay of the new-construction shopping experience. But today, some builders are re-thinking the role of model homes in marketing a new community, while others still feel strongly a decorated model is an important tool to showcase their product. In this recent column for Builder.com, Taylor Johnson clients Kinzie Real Estate Group, Red Seal Homes and Meritus Homes weigh in with three different viewpoints on this topic.

Meritus Homes considers many factors in deciding whether to build a decorated model in a new community. Pictured is Meritus’ model home at Greenbrook at Highland Woods in Elgin, Ill.