Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Report Unveils 2026 Design Trends Driving Decisions for Home Buyers

Rhea-AI Summary

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate (NYSE:HOUS) released the 2026 Design Trends Moving Real Estate Report on Dec 9, 2025, summarizing consumer, agent and design‑professional insights.

Key findings: buyers prioritize flexible layouts and personalization as average first‑time buyer age nears 40; 40% say paint color strongly shapes first impressions; 86% value adaptable layouts over raw square footage; curb appeal and craftsmanship are major decision drivers. The report names Calming Coastal Blue as Interior Color of the Year and Soft Stone Gray as Exterior Color of the Year. The consumer survey of 500 U.S. adults was fielded Oct 6–9, 2025 (±4.4% margin of error).

Key Figures

Buyers prioritizing personal feel Nearly half of buyers Top priority is finding a home that feels personal and like home

Impact of paint color 40% of buyers Say paint color strongly shapes their first impression

Attention to paint color About one-third of buyers Say paint color catches their attention

Flexible layout importance 86% of buyers Say flexible layouts help them see past home size

Curb appeal emotion Nearly half of buyers Won’t buy a home that doesn’t feel right at first walk-in

Survey sample size 500 U.S. adults Consumer survey conducted Oct 6–9, 2025

Margin of error ±4.4 percentage points Survey margin of error at 95% confidence level

Confidence level 95% Confidence level for the survey’s margin of error

Market Reality Check

$14.12 Last Close

Volume Volume 2,062,558 is close to the 20-day average of 2,013,128 (relative volume 1.02x). normal

Technical Shares trade above the 200-day MA of 6.2 at a price of 14.12, near the 52-week high 14.97 and well above the 52-week low 2.71.

Peers on Argus

HOUS was modestly positive at +0.14% while peers were mixed: REAX up 2.06%, HBNB down 5.16%, IRS slightly down, RMAX slightly down, and RLGY flat. Moves do not indicate a coordinated sector trend.

Historical Context

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Nov 20	Leadership promotion	Positive	-2.1%	Promotion of new Chief Operations and Strategy Officer at Guaranteed Rate Affinity.
Nov 18	Merger agreement	Positive	-0.3%	Definitive all-stock merger agreement between Compass and Anywhere Real Estate.
Nov 10	Leadership & expansion	Positive	+3.3%	Return of VP of Mortgage Lending and launch of new mortgage group.
Nov 10	Consumer survey	Positive	+3.3%	Release of 2025 American Dream Report on aspiring homeowners.
Nov 04	Earnings update	Positive	+7.8%	Q3 2025 results with revenue growth and positive Operating EBITDA.

Pattern Detected

Recent news shows generally positive corporate and earnings updates, with the stock often rising on operational and survey-related releases but reacting negatively around some leadership and large strategic transaction headlines.

Recent Company History

Over the last several months, HOUS has reported multiple strategic and operational milestones. Q3 2025 earnings on Nov 4 showed higher revenue and generated a 7.75% gain. Survey-driven brand pieces on homeownership attitudes and internal production-focused personnel moves in early November corresponded with gains of 3.33%. By contrast, the sizable all‑stock merger announcement with Compass, implying about $10 billion in value, saw a slight decline, and a later leadership promotion at Guaranteed Rate Affinity coincided with a 2.15% drop. Today’s design‑trend report fits into this pattern of consumer‑insight‑oriented communications.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement centers on Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate’s 2026 design-trend insights, highlighting how features like flexible layouts, curb appeal, and color choices influence buyers. It complements earlier HOUS communications that used consumer research to frame housing demand. In the background, investors have also tracked merger developments with Compass and recent earnings reports. Going forward, key items to watch include how these trends support agent productivity, transaction volumes, and the company’s integration and execution milestones tied to the announced merger.

Key Terms

margin of error technical

"The margin of error for the total sample is ±4.4 percentage points"

The margin of error is a measure of how much the results of a survey or estimate might differ from the true value, due to random chance. It indicates the level of uncertainty in the data, helping investors understand how much confidence to place in the results. Think of it like the wiggle room around a guess—smaller margins mean more precise estimates.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

Consumer, agent and design professional insights reveal buyers are increasingly seeking homes with flexible design, curb appeal, and personality as they navigate a challenging market

MADISON, N.J., Dec. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC today released its 2026 Design Trends Moving Real Estate Report – a detailed analysis of what matters most to today's homebuyers. Drawing on a consumer study conducted by thinqinsights for Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC, along with insights from BHGRE®-affiliated agents and leading voices from across the real estate and design industries, the report identifies six defining trends shaping the future of home.

Six Key Trends Driving Buyer Decisions in 2026

• The New Starter Home: Starter homes are no longer just about affordability. As the average age of the first-time homeowner nears 40, today's buyers are shifting their priorities, seeking spaces that balance smaller footprints with natural beauty and intentional design. Finding a home that feels personal and truly like home is the top priority for nearly half of buyers¹.
• Paint Colors That Sell: Color is now a dealmaker, with 40% of buyers saying paint color strongly shapes their first impression, and another third says it catches their attention¹.  Buyers are gravitating toward calming, earth-inspired hues and classic neutrals that elevate interiors and exteriors, making the right shade a critical factor in perceived value.
• The Influence of Influencers: Social media is shaping real-world wish lists. Features like curated pantries, cozy reading nooks, and handcrafted kitchens are moving from viral posts to must-have home elements.
• Layout, Layout, Layout: Square footage alone doesn't cut it. Buyers want homes that work harder, 86% say flexible layouts help them see past size, favoring designs with seamless flow and adaptable spaces for work and family¹.
• Craftsmanship Counts: Quality craftsmanship is back in focus. Custom millwork, natural materials, and artisanal finishes deliver character and longevity, qualities today's buyers are willing to invest in.
• Curb Appeal 2.0: First impressions matter more than ever as nearly half of buyers won't buy a home that doesn't feel right the moment they walk in, and that emotion often begins at the curb¹. Today's curb appeal trends lean toward simplicity, with native landscaping, organic finishes, and inviting entries that feel balanced, not overwhelming.

BHGRE Interior and Exterior Paint Colors of the Year

As part of its commitment to helping homeowners and agents make design choices that resonate, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC is unveiling the consumer's choice for the 2026 Interior and Exterior Paint Colors of the Year:

• Interior Color of the Year: Calming Coastal Blue: Homebuyers prefer a color that creates a sense of calm and comfort, bringing warmth, balance and light into the spaces where they spend the most time.
• Exterior Color of the Year: Soft Stone Gray: A timeless natural tone that enhances curb appeal and complements organic finishes, creating a welcoming first impression.

These selections reflect the growing influence of color in buyer decision-making and offer a simple yet powerful way to elevate a home's value.

"Homeownership remains one of life's most monumental transactions, and today buyers are approaching that life goal with new expectations," said Ginger Wilcox, president of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC. "This report explores how those evolving preferences are shaping the market. High barriers to entry have created a generation of buyers who know what they want and won't settle for less. These insights can help sellers and agents make design and presentation choices that resonate with modern buyers who are eager but increasingly discerning."

Explore the full 2026 Design Trends Moving Real Estate Report here.

1 This consumer survey was conducted by thinqinsights on behalf of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC from October 6 to October 9, 2025. The device-agnostic online survey included 500 U.S. adults aged 21 and older, recruited through a national consumer research panel. Respondents were current or prospective homeowners who were highly involved in home design and renovation decisions. The margin of error for the total sample is ±4.4 percentage points at a 95% confidence level. Qualifying criteria included having purchased a home within the past two years or planning to purchase one within the next two years, or having completed a major home renovation in the past two years or planning one within the next two years.

About Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC

The Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate network is a dynamic real estate brand that offers a full range of services to brokers, sales associates and home buyers and sellers. Using innovative technology, sophisticated business systems and the broad appeal of a lifestyle brand, the Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate network embodies the future of the real estate industry while remaining grounded in the tradition of home. Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC is a subsidiary of Anywhere Real Estate Inc. (NYSE: HOUS), a global leader in real estate franchising and provider of real estate brokerage, relocation, and settlement services.

The growing Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate network includes approximately 11,000 independent sales associates in approximately 400 offices serving home buyers and sellers across the United States, Jamaica, The Bahamas, Australia, and Türkiye.

Better Homes and Gardens®, BHGRE® and the Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Logo are registered service marks owned by Meredith Operations Corporation and licensed to Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC. Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each office is independently owned and operated.

Media Contact:
Misty Beard
973-407-2331
Misty.Beard@bhgre.com

 

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SOURCE Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC

FAQ

What are the top 2026 homebuyer design priorities according to Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate (HOUS)?

Buyers prioritize flexible layouts, personalization, strong curb appeal, and quality craftsmanship.

How did paint color influence buyer perceptions in the 2026 Design Trends report for HOUS?

40% of buyers said paint color strongly shapes first impressions and a further third noticed color.

What are the 2026 Interior and Exterior Colors of the Year from Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate (HOUS)?

Interior Color: Calming Coastal Blue. Exterior Color: Soft Stone Gray.

How large was the consumer survey behind the 2026 Design Trends report (HOUS) and when was it conducted?

The survey included 500 U.S. adults and was conducted Oct 6–9, 2025, with a ±4.4% margin of error.

How can real estate agents use the 2026 Design Trends report to market HOUS listings?

Agents can emphasize adaptable layouts, update paint to recommended colors, highlight craftsmanship, and boost curb appeal.