NAHB Releases New Edition of What Home Buyers Really Want

Research and Trends
Published

At the recent 2024 International Builders' Show (IBS), NAHB released the 2024 edition of What Home Buyers Really Want, which delves into ever-evolving home buying preferences.

Based on a nationwide survey of recent and prospective home buyers, the new edition of the popular report highlights the pandemic’s impact on home buyer priorities and the changing landscape of home trends.

As buyers redefine what home means to them in a post-pandemic world, home builders will need to navigate this new era of housing demands and understand the shifts in buyer expectations. What Home Buyers Really Want explores everything from architectural features to technological advancements using indispensable data and research.

The report also examines how factors like age, race and ethnicity, location, and income influence the buying decision so builders can tailor offerings to meet the diverse needs of today’s buyers.

What Home Buyers Really Want is available for purchase now on BuilderBooks.com.

Cover of What Home Buyers Really Want report

Subscribe to NAHBNow

Log in or create account to subscribe to notifications of new posts.

Log in to subscribe

Latest from NAHBNow

Tax Reform

Jun 17, 2025

Senate Version of Tax Bill Retains Key Housing, Business Provisions

The Senate Finance Committee on June 16 unveiled its portion of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act — sweeping tax and domestic policy legislation that narrowly passed the House last month. The Senate version includes several provisions that are very positive for housing.

Economics

Jun 17, 2025

Builder Sentiment at Third Lowest Reading Since 2012

Builder confidence in the market for newly built single-family homes was 32 in June, down two points from May, according to the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) released today. The index has only posted a lower reading twice since 2012 – in December 2022 when it hit 31 and in April 2020 at the start of the pandemic when it plunged more than 40 points to 30.

View all

Latest Economic News

Economics

Jun 17, 2025

Builder Sentiment at Third Lowest Reading Since 2012

In a further sign of declining builder sentiment, the use of price incentives increased sharply in June as the housing market continues to soften.

Economics

Jun 16, 2025

Permit Activity Weakens in April 2025

Housing permits continued a downhill trend for the fourth month in a row, pointing to a broader residential construction slowdown for 2025. Over the first four months of 2025, the total number of single-family permits issued year-to-date (YTD) nationwide reached 320,259.

Economics

Jun 13, 2025

Household Real Estate Asset Value Falls to Start the Year

The market value of household real estate assets fell from $48.1 trillion to $47.9 trillion in the first quarter of 2025, according to the most recent release of U.S. Federal Reserve Z.1 Financial Accounts. The value of household real estate assets declined for three consecutive quarters after peaking at $48.8 trillion in the second quarter of 2024 but remains 2.1% higher over the year.