CogNeuroSci
Active member
For me, this sort of left-right bias is an interesting and relevant question, not only because of my background in brain and behavior but also because I'm one of those people who has been biased.
Let me be clear about the phenomenon I'm referring to. Let's say you're next in line for a phase release but the home is the reverse orientation of the model home's. Have you ever felt so uncomfortable about it that you passed up on that phase to wait for the next phase release (which would have the same home but in the same orientation as the model home's)?
My prediction is that, if the cognitive psych studies were done, they would indeed find that kind of bias. My own story isn't quite so extreme because, luckily, in our current home of 5 years, our phase had 2 Plan 4's--one in each orientation! So I called the sales office and made sure they knew that I really, really preferred the one with the same orientation as that of the model home. But I didn't give the orientation as my reason; the one I wanted was also farther away from the main street, and so that was the reason I gave.
Wouldn't home builders be aware of this potential issue? And wouldn't they employ a strategy to counteract this phenomenon? After all, you can't risk having a bunch of houses standing around just because their orientation is not the same as the model home's. Aside from incentives, credits, free upgrades, or even just plain designing an awesome floor plan, what else can a builder do?
I believe California Pacific Homes has figured it out. Step 1: long-term commitment to the same city/area. Cal Pac fits this, as it only builds in Irvine. Step 2: floor plan design continuity. Back in 2015, Jade Court in Cypress Village sold out so fast that when I went into the sales office, they immediately told me don't worry, Citrine's popping up soon in Portola Springs (PS) 6 and it'll be just like Jade Court. Next thing you know, it's early 2016 and Silverleaf in PS3 comes out (with the 3-story plan removed). A couple years later, Montara opens in PS5A followed by Celeste in PS4B. Now enter Step 3: across community bias balance & control. My wife and I recently committed to a Celeste Plan 4X that is reverse orientation from the model home's, which would have bothered me if it wasn't for Montara's Plan 3 model home (both communities are still currently building), which has a very similar 1st-floor layout and is the same orientation as our home! I am convinced that this was a purposeful "balancing out" act. And finally Step 4: within community bias balance control. Talise (also in PS4B) has 4 similar floor plans that are all similar to Celeste Plan 4/4X and Montara Plan 3. Two of the models have the kitchen on the left side (upon entry) and two have the kitchen on the right. In addition, two have the kitchen on the near side (front door side, with the living room far side) and two have the kitchen on the far side. Talk about psychological reinforcement and taking no chances!
I must emphasize that, from my point of view, there is no chance that any of this was done without pre-planned, long-term, full-concept purposeful intent. Does anyone know of any other builder that has done something similar?
Let me be clear about the phenomenon I'm referring to. Let's say you're next in line for a phase release but the home is the reverse orientation of the model home's. Have you ever felt so uncomfortable about it that you passed up on that phase to wait for the next phase release (which would have the same home but in the same orientation as the model home's)?
My prediction is that, if the cognitive psych studies were done, they would indeed find that kind of bias. My own story isn't quite so extreme because, luckily, in our current home of 5 years, our phase had 2 Plan 4's--one in each orientation! So I called the sales office and made sure they knew that I really, really preferred the one with the same orientation as that of the model home. But I didn't give the orientation as my reason; the one I wanted was also farther away from the main street, and so that was the reason I gave.
Wouldn't home builders be aware of this potential issue? And wouldn't they employ a strategy to counteract this phenomenon? After all, you can't risk having a bunch of houses standing around just because their orientation is not the same as the model home's. Aside from incentives, credits, free upgrades, or even just plain designing an awesome floor plan, what else can a builder do?
I believe California Pacific Homes has figured it out. Step 1: long-term commitment to the same city/area. Cal Pac fits this, as it only builds in Irvine. Step 2: floor plan design continuity. Back in 2015, Jade Court in Cypress Village sold out so fast that when I went into the sales office, they immediately told me don't worry, Citrine's popping up soon in Portola Springs (PS) 6 and it'll be just like Jade Court. Next thing you know, it's early 2016 and Silverleaf in PS3 comes out (with the 3-story plan removed). A couple years later, Montara opens in PS5A followed by Celeste in PS4B. Now enter Step 3: across community bias balance & control. My wife and I recently committed to a Celeste Plan 4X that is reverse orientation from the model home's, which would have bothered me if it wasn't for Montara's Plan 3 model home (both communities are still currently building), which has a very similar 1st-floor layout and is the same orientation as our home! I am convinced that this was a purposeful "balancing out" act. And finally Step 4: within community bias balance control. Talise (also in PS4B) has 4 similar floor plans that are all similar to Celeste Plan 4/4X and Montara Plan 3. Two of the models have the kitchen on the left side (upon entry) and two have the kitchen on the right. In addition, two have the kitchen on the near side (front door side, with the living room far side) and two have the kitchen on the far side. Talk about psychological reinforcement and taking no chances!
I must emphasize that, from my point of view, there is no chance that any of this was done without pre-planned, long-term, full-concept purposeful intent. Does anyone know of any other builder that has done something similar?
) regardless of orientation.