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

Workforce Development

Apr 17, 2026

9 NHE Grants Boost Residential Construction Visibility

The National Housing Endowment (NHE), NAHB's philanthropic arm, created its Homebuilding Education Leadership Program (HELP) to increase the number of qualified graduates entering the home building industry. Since 2009, HELP has invested more than $6.2 million in grants to 60 colleges and universities.

Economics

Apr 16, 2026

Iran War Adds to Economic Headwinds

A multidimensional supply shock is weakening the U.S. economy, fueled by the delayed effects of the 2025 trade wars and tariffs, elevated oil prices, and persistent policy uncertainty. NAHB Chief Economist Dr. Robert Dietz provides a high-level summary of key economic markers.

View all

Latest Economic News

Economics

Apr 17, 2026

Count of Second Homes Declines in 2024

In 2024, the number of second homes in the U.S. was 6.2 million, accounting for 4.3% of the nation’s housing stock, according to NAHB estimates. This reflects a modest decline from 2022, when the number reached 6.5 million. This decline suggests some cooling following the pandemic-era surge in second home demand.

Economics

Apr 16, 2026

Young Adults Report More Interest in the Construction Trades: 2026 Survey

NAHB estimates the U.S. has a structural housing deficit of 1.2 million units. Among the myriad of headwinds home builders face trying to close that gap is the industry’s chronic shortage of workers in the construction trades.

Economics

Apr 15, 2026

Builder Sentiment Posts Notable Decline on Economic Uncertainty

Economic uncertainty coupled with rising building material costs and interest rates resulted in a sharp decline in builder sentiment in April as the housing market enters into the heart of the spring buying season.