Methodology for Homes.com/YouGov New Construction: What Buyers Want Survey

The Homes.com/YouGov New Construction: What Buyers Want Survey was designed to explore the preferences, motivations and challenges of purchasing newly constructed properties. The research profiled both recent purchasers and prospective buyers of new construction homes in the U.S. to understand what drives decision-making in this segment of the housing market.

The study was conducted via an online survey between May 22 and May 29, 2025. The survey was structured to be completed in approximately 12 minutes. All responses were collected in English and limited to individuals residing in the United States.

This was a targeted study, not a general population survey. Using data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the National Association of Realtors, and other sources, the survey created sampling starting points. The respondents were screened to meet specific eligibility criteria: They had to be at least 25 years old and have a household income of $50,000 or higher. Eligible participants included those who had purchased a newly constructed home in the past 24 months or intended to make such a purchase within the next 24 months. This yielded a total sample size of 1,009 individuals, broken down into two primary subgroups:

• 351 recent purchasers ("owners")
• 658 prospective buyers ("intenders")

All of the respondents were recruited via YouGov's online panel.

The targeted sample was demographically diverse, with deliberate representation across age, income, region, and household composition.

Owners tended to be older (65-plus), with higher household incomes and smaller household sizes, and were more likely to live in the South.

Intenders and first-time buyers were typically younger (aged 25 to 34), had more moderate household incomes, and tended to live in larger households with children. These groups showed a stronger presence in the Northeast and West, with a greater interest in urban living. These demographic distinctions offer valuable context for interpreting buyer preferences and motivations.

All statistical testing within the study was conducted at a 95% confidence level. Differences between groups — such as owners versus intenders or first-time buyers versus experienced homeowners — were flagged when statistically significant, enhancing the depth of the findings. These distinctions help highlight meaningful insights across subgroups and enhance the interpretive depth of the findings. Overall, with a total sample size of 1,009, the margin of error is roughly 3.1%, indicating a high level of statistical reliability. The charts are set to default, not 100%, for visual appeal.

Data was collected from CoStar Group’s new home research team of 21,134 actively selling and coming soon communities as of August 4, 2025. CoStar’s new home community data is sourced from primary research, market input, public records and data feeds, including our Homes.com network. Homes.com is the industry’s leading online residential marketplace.