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New home sales hold steady in September
According to the New Residential Construction Report from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau, sales…
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According to the New Residential Construction Report from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau, sales of new single-family houses hold strong at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 676,000 in September 2026.
This is a minor 0.6% decline from a bright August report and a 5.3% year-over-year dip. The median sales price recorded at $400,400, up 3.9% month-to-month, yet is down 3.9% compared to the year before.
Total for-sale inventory slowed to 476,000 units, bringing supply down to an 8.4-month pace.
“Affordability remains a significant hurdle for prospective home buyers,” said Bill Owens, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). “Builders continue to offer incentives and adjust pricing to attract buyers, but elevated mortgage rates and high home prices are limiting the number of households that can afford to purchase a home.”
Overall, resilient buyers, particularly in price tiers under $400,000, made up over half of all sales. This signals continuing opportunities for homebuilders operating targeted incentives, which, according to NAHB, 65% of homebuilders offer.
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Tri Pointe Homes Blends Wellness and Elegance
LivingWell debuts as the next generation of home design Tri Pointe Homes’ LivingWell concept home asks how homes can support residents beyond…
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LivingWell debuts as the next generation of home design
Tri Pointe Homes’ LivingWell concept home asks how homes can support residents beyond the surface-level functions.
“The home allowed us to explore whole-home wellness comprehensively through everything from architecture and landscape to natural light, circulation, air quality and smart-home integration,” said Linda Mamet, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at Tri Pointe Homes. “We wanted to create a design-forward benchmark that shows how all of those elements can work together to support emotional, physical and social wellbeing.”
Pavilions at Holladay Hills, the first iteration of the LivingWell concept unveiled to the public in March 2026. Planning for the new offering began in 2024. Tri Pointe Homes looked closely at how to evolve for the next generation of wellness-focused residential design.
Building off of the company’s longstanding LivingSmart program, which focuses on responsible building practices, LivingWell expands to how a home feels and supports daily life.
Inside LivingWell
Pavilions at Holladay Hills is a limited collection of six estate homes, ranging from 6,811 to 9,800 square feet. It is located in one of Utah’s most desirable markets, offering connection to the Wasatch Mountain Range. The project was designed in collaboration with some of the industry’s finest: Bassenian Lagoni Architects, Bobby Berk and PKJ Design Group.
“LivingWell depended on collaboration because whole-home wellness cannot be delivered by any one discipline,” said Mamet.
At 7,772 finished square feet, the concept home is organized around a private interior courtyard, enhancing the contemporary English manor’s natural light, privacy, circulation and indoor-outdoor connection. The project includes six bedrooms, nine bathrooms, a four-car garage and an attached carriage house.
The interiors, led by Berk, take on a Cotswolds Rustic style, characterized by his use of natural materials, layered textures and warm finishes.
Beyond the home’s aesthetic, it includes high-performance building systems like upgraded insulation, engineered ducting and duct sealing, high-efficiency HVAC, an HRV system, MERV 13 filtration and low-VOC materials.
“The value comes from treating everything as an integrated whole rather than viewing performance and wellbeing as separate priorities,” said Mamet.
Designed for Daily Life
“What stands out most to me are the features that truly support everyday routines and different stages of life,” said Mamet.
Mamet noted that the dedicated pet station and dog wash recognize that pets are an important part of many households. Similarly, multigenerational living is an important feature for many buyers. The carriage house provides that flexibility.
The home design is cohesive, with maroon tile and marble elements echoed in the kitchen and bathroom. The kitchen itself is a standout. Design-wise, the elegant range grounds the room, while the cabinetry, built-in appliances and hardware selection offer depth and warmth. The two oversized islands provide ample space for prep and entertainment. The layout also allows for seamless connection through the cooking, living and dining areas.
The primary bathroom feels like a tranquil escape. The dual sinks are separated by a charming soaking tub, complemented by the waterfall shower and dedicated vanity.
The initiative behind LivingWell is to curate a space not just stunning in model pictures, but one that has the ability to evolve. There are opportunities to transform spaces based on lifestyle, such as offices, an in-home gym, music rooms and more.
Even the finished basement uses light wells to bring daylight and planted views into the lower level.
The landscape design offers opportunity for further connection with an orchard, raised garden beds and edible and pollinator-friendly plantings.
Validating the Vision
The concept home was presented at the 80th Salt Lake Parade of Homes and received the Judges’ Choice Award for Best Interior. Mamet elaborated that the recognition was a validation of the thought and collaboration behind the project and a meaningful milestone to mark its public debut.
As for the future of LivingWell, the Tri Pointe team sees this venture as an opportunity to explore how wellness can be integrated more holistically.
“We view the LivingWell concept home as a benchmark rather than a one-off showcase,” said Mamet.
Future editions may not have the same features; the adaptability is key to how the LivingWell concept would influence Tri Pointe’s national portfolio over time.
“It’s an approach that can inform how future homes and communities are designed, while still responding to the character of any given market and the needs of different homebuyers,” said Mamet.
Cover Image is courtesy of Ikon Media for Tri Pointe Homes. All other images are courtesy of Kara Mercer.
By Sofia Feeney. She is the Editor at Builder and Developer and can be reached at sofia@builder.media.
This story is featured in our October issue of Builder and Developer. Read the print version here.
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Premium buyers drive PulteGroup’s Q3 earnings
According to PulteGroup’s Q3 2026 Financial Report, the homebuilder maintained resilient gross margins despite pressures from elevated mortgage rates, inflation and stretched…
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According to PulteGroup’s Q3 2026 Financial Report, the homebuilder maintained resilient gross margins despite pressures from elevated mortgage rates, inflation and stretched homebuyer affordability.
The builder is concentrating on the higher-margin move-up and active-adult buyer segments, helping cushion margins against entry-level affordability headwinds. PulteGroup President and CEO, Ryan Marshall, reflected that the company’s balance of price and pace of home sales is critical in the current environment.
PulteGroup reported 6,876 home closings, down 9% year-over-year, with an average selling price of $561,000, declining 1% year-over-year.
The company’s community count increased 7% year-over-year, totaling 1,077 active communities.
“With homebuying demand increasingly pressured by rising mortgage rates, widespread inflation and global unrest, we continue to benefit from our diversified operating platform and consistent strategies for delivering superior returns over the housing cycle,” said Marshall. “With more than 60% of our business now comprised of more profitable move-up and active-adult homebuyers, our strong gross margins were instrumental to driving third quarter earnings of $2.53 per share.”
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Dream Finders Homes seals $2.2 billion Beazer Homes deal
Dream Finders Homes has openly eyed Atlanta-based, energy-efficient homebuilder Beazer Homes since February of 2026. On Oct. 20, 2026, Dream Finders finally closed…
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Dream Finders Homes has openly eyed Atlanta-based, energy-efficient homebuilder Beazer Homes since February of 2026. On Oct. 20, 2026, Dream Finders finally closed on the $2.2 billion deal.
This marks the ninth acquisition for the Jacksonville, Fla.-based Dream Finders since 2021. The company is now expected to be the sixth-largest homebuilder in the nation.
“Today, Beazer’s teams officially join ours, and the real work begins. We are closing this transaction in a challenging housing environment and we are clear-eyed about that,” said Patrick Zalupski, Founder, CEO, and Co-Chairman of Dream Finders.
It remains unclear if Dream Finders will continue the energy-efficient legacy left by Beazer. They have not yet responded to a request for comment.
Dream Finders affirmed that this deal will provide leverage in the current market; it also expanded its homebuilding presence into four new states.
“This combination is built to perform throughout the housing market cycle,” said Rick Beckwitt, Co-Chairman of Dream Finders. “We continue to expect over $100 million of annual run-rate cost synergies and double-digit percentage EPS accretion in year one, while expanding our financial services platform and preserving the asset-light model that underpins our returns.”
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Builder confidence cools to 29 in October
National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) /Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) fell three points to 29 in October. This repeats the…
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National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) /Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) fell three points to 29 in October.
This repeats the three-point drop reported in September. Builder confidence sits at its lowest since 2012.
Buyer traffic also took a hit, despite 43% of builders cutting prices and 65% of builders offering sales incentives.
Regionally, the brightest spot is the Midwest, with permits up 2.9% and a HMI of 40. The Northeast and South both fell one point to 38 and 30. The West remains the slowest market, declining to 26.
“Housing remains squeezed by supply-side constraints and significant affordability challenges,” said NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz. “Mortgage rates have climbed well above 7% in recent weeks. Though builders are also contending with higher costs for construction loans, building materials and diesel, the administration’s efforts to advance regulatory reform are helping to ease some of the cost pressures they face.”
Reflecting these policy shifts, the U.S. Department of Commerce is cutting duties on Canadian softwood lumber imports, while efforts are underway to suspend tariffs on all building materials through the Housing Tariff Exclusion Act.
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San Francisco mansion sells for $28.5 million, breaking records
A mansion in San Francisco sold for $28.5 million, $10 million above the home’s $18.5 million asking price, on Oct. 22, 2026. With eight bedrooms and seven bathrooms, the luxury residence was on the market for 20 days.
The Cherry Street home is not the first big purchase we’ve seen from San Francisco’s luxury housing market: A home at 2 Sixth Ave. sold for $15 million, with a listing price of $8 million. In May, a home in Cow Hollow at 2512 Union St. sold for $15 million after listing for $7.95 million.
We’ve followed the city’s luxury boom all year, which was largely attributed to the AI sector in San Francisco.
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New home sales hold steady in September
According to the New Residential Construction Report from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau, sales of new single-family houses hold strong at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 676,000 in September 2026.
This is a minor 0.6% decline from a bright August report and a 5.3% year-over-year dip. The median sales price recorded at $400,400, up 3.9% month-to-month, yet is down 3.9% compared to the year before.
Total for-sale inventory slowed to 476,000 units, bringing supply down to an 8.4-month pace.
“Affordability remains a significant hurdle for prospective home buyers,” said Bill Owens, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). “Builders continue to offer incentives and adjust pricing to attract buyers, but elevated mortgage rates and high home prices are limiting the number of households that can afford to purchase a home.”
Overall, resilient buyers, particularly in price tiers under $400,000, made up over half of all sales. This signals continuing opportunities for homebuilders operating targeted incentives, which, according to NAHB, 65% of homebuilders offer.
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New home sales outperform expectations
According to a report from Realtor.com, new home sales performed better than expected in September, as homebuilders increasingly used incentives to entice hesitant homebuyers.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development, contract signings for new-construction properties reached a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 676,000 in September. This is 0.6% below August’s figure and down 5.3% from a year earlier, but more than the 653,000 forecast.
New home sales in the Northeast rebounded 28% higher than last month and 10.3% higher than 2025. However, all other regions in the U.S. posted declines.
Throughout 2026, builders have contrasted an unsteady housing market with buyer incentives, a strategy that has proven successful as sales outperform expected rates.
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Lennar eyes new mall-to-mixed-use redevelopment in Florida
Lennar, one of the nation’s largest homebuilders, is planning to purchase the Boynton Beach Mall. The mall is currently scheduled to close in early 2027 and sits on 91 acres in Boynton Beach, Fla.
The builder intends to transform the space with townhomes and mixed-use opportunities.
“Although planning is in the early stages and we look forward to stakeholder feedback, our vision is to take advantage of this unique opportunity with a mix of single-family attached housing opportunities, complemented by retail, commercial, open space and civic uses that will create a walkable, connected environment,” said Danielle Tocco, Vice President of Communications at Lennar, in a statement.
The market in South Florida is green for new developments, with Boynton Beach a particularly strong market according to Realtor.com. Homes in the area sell in a median of 76 days and at a median price of $348,000.
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NKBA announces Thirty Under 30 Class of 2027
The National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) announced its Thirty Under 30 Class of 2027. This recognition celebrates exceptional young leaders whose passion, vision and creativity are shaping the future of the kitchen and bath industry.
The Thirty Under 30 Class of 2027 will be officially honored at KBIS from February 2 to 4 in Las Vegas.
“Being selected as a member of the NKBA Thirty Under 30 Class was a true honor,” said Cayleigh McCusker, Class of 2026. “To be recognized by your peers and colleagues in the industry as deserving for such an achievement is really a testament to the hard work paying off. Becoming part of this young, talented and driven group of individuals was a goal I set for myself, and I couldn’t be happier that it came true.”
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Tri Pointe Homes acquires 40 acres in Arizona for $20 million
Tri Pointe Homes acquired roughly 40 acres in East Mesa, Ariz., for $20 million. This deal expands the builder’s offerings in the area with plans for a new gated community, Ascension.
Ascension is expected to include 46 single-family homes across four distinct designs, ranging from 4,304 to 5,137 square feet.
Land development is slated for Q4 2026, with sales expected to launch in Q1 2028.
“Tri Pointe Homes is selective about where we invest and what we can uniquely bring to a market and Ascension adds something very intentional to our East Valley presence,” said James Attwood, Division President of Tri Pointe Homes Arizona. “This location gives us an opportunity to pair the advantages of an established city with a limited collection of premium homes designed to give homebuyers greater space, flexibility and a more intimate community experience. Mesa’s recognition as one of America’s best-run cities 1 further reinforces why we see long-term value here.”
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Mortgage rates ease to 7.32%
According to Freddie Mac’s recent Primary Mortgage Market Survey released on Oct. 22, 2026, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 7.32%.
“The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage declined this week, offering some relief to prospective homebuyers,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist.
The current FRM is down from last week’s average of 7.40%. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.19%.
The 15-year FRM averaged 6.68%, down from the previous week when it averaged 6.71%. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 5.44%.
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Mortgage rates hold steady
Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey showed that the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) is holding steady, averaging 7.40%.
“The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage remained unchanged this week,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist.
As of Oct. 15, 2026, the FRM held steady at 7.40%, up from last year’s average of 6.27%.
The 15-year FRM averaged 6.71%, down from the previous week’s average of 6.73%. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 5.52%.
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NKBA Kitchen Trends Report: Functional features, wellness design and cool neutrals dominate
What’s next for kitchen design? The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) released its Kitchen Trends Report, giving insight into the shifts we’re likely to witness in 2027.
One of the major takeaways from the report is that kitchen layouts are shifting: moving away from fully open-concept spaces and towards more dedicated prep spaces such as a scullery. A slight majority of designers (52%) predict kitchens will become a larger foodprint inside the home in the next three years.
The respondents noted that the kitchen is becoming a utility space for homeowners, with a focus on lifestyle and functional design. Popular integrations on the rise include dedicated beverage stations (90%), mudrooms and flex spaces (94%), pet feeding stations (63%) and smart appliance stations (73%).
As for color palettes, experts responded that cool neutrals are here to stay, with greens (83%) and blues (75%) the top color choices. Moving toward material selection, quartzite is king, with 78% of designers naming it the most popular countertop choice.
Smart home integrations are less focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI), but responsive to wellness and climate demands.
Only 27% of designers see an upward trend of ovens with food-recognition AI and 24% expect AI that learns and adjusts to cooking preferences. However, designers noticed an increased priority for leak detection systems and automatic shut-off valves (65%), backup power solutions (62%) and pointing to ventilation and air filtration systems (53%).
“For the past several years, we’ve seen the kitchen expand in size. The 2027 Kitchen Trend Report reveals that this evolution is continuing, with the kitchen extending into more areas of the home,” said Bill Darcy, Global President & CEO of NKBA. “While the kitchen has always been the ‘heart of the home,’ that idea has taken on new meaning. From mudrooms and laundry rooms to back pantries and personalized work zones, the report shows that we’ve entered a new era of what the kitchen can do for homeowners – solving real problems, adding home value and elevating the way we live.”
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These 7 colors will define 2027 bedroom interiors
As 2027 draws closer, interior design trends are evolving, especially in color schemes. Homeowners are already gravitating towards interiors that evoke warmth and tranquility. Interior designers are expecting this trend to become extremely prominent in bedrooms, spaces where homeowners seek to refresh and unwind at the beginning and end of their day.
Creamy whites and beiges are continuing to remain dominant next year, according to Co-owner and Principal Designer at Tran + Thomas Design Studio Jill Tran.
“I feel we will forever be using creams as they remove the fear of committing to color, and for a lot of people, that speaks to their hearts,” said Tran.
Interiors, especially luxury ones, are going darker in 2027 with chocolate browns and blue-gray tones.
Earthy greens, beige and taupes, as well as clay, terracotta and muted reds inspire wellness and feel soothing; these are the feelings homeowners are expected to chase next year.
These rising trends in bedroom design are in line with our 2027 Colors of the Year forecast.
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What the 2027 Colors of the Year say about the future of design
For years, interior design leaned into clean, cool grays and sterile whites that were easy to style, but often left homes feeling cold and detached. Rather than staging spaces for resale, the industry noticed that homeowners want to invest in colors that activate the senses, honor natural materials and age gracefully over time.
As we look toward 2027, the paint industry is making a collective statement: bring personality back to the home. This reflects a broader shift across design, with buyers wanting more tailored features to their everyday lives.
Dunn Edwards
Dunn-Edwards launched French Press Coffee, a chocolatey brown with a rich plum undertone. The dimensional shade offers an easy complement to natural materials and an ode to craftsmanship.
The color represents the pendulum swinging towards moody and unique design choices.
“Largely, it’s a reaction to the years when gray and white dominated. Those palettes were clean and easy to sell, but many people found them cold and impersonal to live with,” said Lauren Hoferkamp, Color Marketing Manager at Dunn-Edwards to Builder and Developer.
“Now buyers and homeowners want warmth, and the entire supply chain is responding, from cabinetry and flooring to countertops and fixtures. For builders, warm neutrals offer a practical advantage too: they complement the natural wood, stone and warm-metal finishes buyers are asking for, and they show and photograph with a welcoming, lived-in quality that starker palettes often lack.”
Hoferkamp noted that the shade’s timelessness drove the selection.
I forecast this shade to be a chameleon across design, with welcome applications to exteriors, cabinetry or color-drenching a laundry room or home office.
Sherwin Williams
Sherwin-Williams’ Celery is a stark contrast to the organic warm neutrals across the industry. Selected by the Sherwin-Williams Trendsight Team, the shade brings an energetic pop to interiors.
“Celery was chosen as the 2027 Color of the Year because it reflects today’s priorities: wellness, balance and connection,” says Ashley Banbury, Color Marketing Manager at Sherwin-Williams.
“Homeowners and designers are increasingly prioritizing wellness at home, seeking soothing environments that support mental health and overall well-being.”
I can see this shade used to draw playfulness into a sitting room, bathroom, or personalized spaces such as a home gym or children’s play area.
Benjamin Moore
Benjamin Moore’s Color of the Year 2027 is Webster Green HC-130: a marriage of the traditional and contemporary. It’s an instant, not overpowering character blending well with rich woods, brass and natural materials.
“For 2027, our focus centred on the green colour family. When we looked across the past, present and future of colour trends, variations on green consistently demonstrated remarkable staying power,” said Andrea Magno, Vice President of Brand, Colour and Integrated Marketing, at Benjamin Moore.
“Webster Green HC-130 reflects this timeless appeal by pairing reassuring stability with optimistic energy. Its composed nature feels both rooted and forward-looking, while enhancing spaces that feel distinctive, collected and continually new.”
This shade could be easily adapted in grounding spaces, like a home office, entryway or living room.
C2 Paint
C2 Paint named Pueblo its 2027 Color of the Year. It’s a warm, multifaceted hue of earth, rose and brown.
The shade serves as an anchor for the brand’s “Rural Renaissance” palette, evoking natural materials, craftsmanship, gardening, and cooking.
“For several years, the conversation around home and design has centered on calm, comfort and restoration,” said Philippa Radon, Interior Designer and C2 Paint Color Specialist.
“For 2027, we began asking a different question: What comes next? After a period of looking inward, we’re seeing a renewed desire to engage with the world around us—to create, gather, explore and reconnect with the experiences that make us feel alive.
The shade is noted to change with light, season and weather; the perfect use of it would be on cabinetry, utility rooms or closets.
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Upcoming kitchen designs for 2027
It’s official: kitchen designs are going warmer in 2027. From darker wooden cabinetry to warm natural elements, next year is expected to move further away from sterile gray tones and sleek, refined interiors. Homeowners want spaces that emphasize warmth, functionality and personalization.
Pantry and larder storage will remain a priority in 2027, but the inside will receive the same detail that the outside does. Storage does not have to mean clutter; efficient but aesthetic displays and shelves will take center stage in cabinetry next year. Designers and manufacturers are expecting more emphasis on storage that responds to the way clients cook, with smaller internal drawers sitting behind larger drawer fronts for a simple exterior.
Built-in seating has become more prominent in kitchens throughout 2026, but it is expected to become one of the most desirable features in 2027. Built-in seating at kitchen dining tables encourages socialization and makes the space feel less cluttered, since the seating is against a wall rather than in the center of a room.
Exclusive Feature
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Tri Pointe Homes Blends Wellness and Elegance
LivingWell debuts as the next generation of home design Tri Pointe Homes’ LivingWell concept home asks how homes can support residents beyond…
by
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Mortgage rates hold steady
Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey showed that the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) is holding steady, averaging 7.40%.
“The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage remained unchanged this week,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist.
As of Oct. 15, 2026, the FRM held steady at 7.40%, up from last year’s average of 6.27%.
The 15-year FRM averaged 6.71%, down from the previous week’s average of 6.73%. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 5.52%.
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September AIA ABI drops to 44.7
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) recently released the AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index (ABI) for September. The ABI score dropped to 44.7 from 47.2 in August.
There is a slight silver lining in the continued decline: inquiries for new projects increased to 53.2. AIA reported a steady pipeline of future work, with backlogs stable.
Multifamily residential and institutional firms appear to take the largest hit against the current market conditions.
“This is an increasingly difficult environment for architecture firms,” said AIA Chief Economist Richard Branch. “Weakening billings are being compounded by a soft economy, challenging project financing and growing caution among clients. With fewer projects moving forward, there is little reason to expect a meaningful improvement in business conditions in the near term.”
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NAHB backs EPA and Army Corps rules proposal
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) requested that the Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers further clarify rules on tidal changes and droughts, supporting the supplemental Waters of the United States (WOTUS) proposal under the Clean Water Act.
NAHB is in favor of changes to the final rules to give builders and developers a more defined course of action during project planning, land assessment and permit requirements.
Latest Issue
Oct. 2026
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This issue of Builder and Developer features the Award Winning Architecture and Design.
Exclusive Feature
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The Architecture of Quiet
Designing Inner Peace for calm on a difficult hillside site The hills of Tustin do not compromise. They rise in dry, sun-baked…
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New York and Connecticut luxury markets surged in Q3
According to the Houlihan Lawrence Q3 2026 Luxury Market Report, the luxury housing market in New York and Connecticut showed strong activity in the third quarter. Continued buyer demand and strong results across key markets demonstrated strong momentum.
New York’s luxury market performed exceedingly well in Q3: Westchester County, at the $2 million-and-above level, recorded increases in both home sales and prices. Homes moved quickly, with average days on market continuing to decline. In Putnam and Dutchess Counties, prices continued to rise in the $1 million-and-above market, despite declining transaction activity and longer days on market.
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NKBA Kitchen Trends Report: Functional features, wellness design and cool neutrals dominate
What’s next for kitchen design? The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) released its Kitchen Trends Report, giving insight into the shifts we’re likely to witness in 2027.
One of the major takeaways from the report is that kitchen layouts are shifting: moving away from fully open-concept spaces and towards more dedicated prep spaces such as a scullery. A slight majority of designers (52%) predict kitchens will become a larger foodprint inside the home in the next three years.
The respondents noted that the kitchen is becoming a utility space for homeowners, with a focus on lifestyle and functional design. Popular integrations on the rise include dedicated beverage stations (90%), mudrooms and flex spaces (94%), pet feeding stations (63%) and smart appliance stations (73%).
As for color palettes, experts responded that cool neutrals are here to stay, with greens (83%) and blues (75%) the top color choices. Moving toward material selection, quartzite is king, with 78% of designers naming it the most popular countertop choice.
Smart home integrations are less focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI), but responsive to wellness and climate demands.
Only 27% of designers see an upward trend of ovens with food-recognition AI and 24% expect AI that learns and adjusts to cooking preferences. However, designers noticed an increased priority for leak detection systems and automatic shut-off valves (65%), backup power solutions (62%) and pointing to ventilation and air filtration systems (53%).
“For the past several years, we’ve seen the kitchen expand in size. The 2027 Kitchen Trend Report reveals that this evolution is continuing, with the kitchen extending into more areas of the home,” said Bill Darcy, Global President & CEO of NKBA. “While the kitchen has always been the ‘heart of the home,’ that idea has taken on new meaning. From mudrooms and laundry rooms to back pantries and personalized work zones, the report shows that we’ve entered a new era of what the kitchen can do for homeowners – solving real problems, adding home value and elevating the way we live.”
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Hispanic homebuyers’ growing role in market
Hispanic homebuyers are playing a growing role in today’s housing market. According to the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals, in 2025, Hispanic households reached 10.2 million, accounting for all net growth in U.S. homeownership.
According to a report from the National Association of REALTORS, Hispanic Americans are still the fastest-growing demographic of homebuyers in the nation. States such as Arizona, California, Florida, New Mexico and Texas have high concentrations of Hispanic populations. The homeownership rate reflects that, demonstrating high rates among this demographic of buyers.
In terms of business, as Hispanic homeownership continues to grow, builders, architects, designers and other industry professionals who understand the questions these buyers are asking and focus on building connections will be better positioned.
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AIA supports new congressional legislation
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) announced its support of three congressional bills that would prioritize disaster mitigation, resilience and recovery.
The three bills include the Ounce of Prevention Act (H.R. 9557), the Community Disaster Protection Act (H.R. 10686) and the Rebuild & Save Act (H.R. 1375).
The Ounce of Prevention Act would distribute grants to strengthen resilience upgrades before disaster strikes. The Community Disaster Protection Act aims to expand risk protection through a FEMA pilot grant program. The Rebuild & Save Act would increase access and thresholds to disaster loans for small businesses.
The AIA emphasized the importance of these bipartisan resilient design efforts to the field of architecture.
“Resilience starts long before a disaster occurs. Architects see firsthand how decisions about where and how we design, build, renovate, and rebuild can protect lives, reduce losses, and strengthen communities,” said Illya Azaroff, FAIA, 2026 AIA National President. “AIA is proud to support policies that move our country from reacting to disasters toward proactively reducing risk and creating safer, more resilient communities.”
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What builders are innovating in Ontario?
The Ontario Home Builders’ Association (OHBA) announced the winners of its 2026 Awards of Distinction (AoD).
The awards recognize excellence across architectural design, room design, image and advertising, on-site sales presentation and renovation.
The Innovation Award went to a program that could change the traditional homebuying experience: Ironstone Building Company’s Try Before You Buy Program.
This program allows prospective homeowners to build purchase credits while leasing, allowing the homeowner to build confidence and equity before committing to ownership.
Menkes Developments Ltd., of Toronto, was awarded Large Volume Builder of the Year. The company holds high distinction across Canada as a high-rise builder and delivered 2,600 suites across five buildings in 2025.
Amsted Design-Build of Ottawa won Builder of the Year in the small volume category. The builder is applauded for its use of digital marketing to drive its custom home department’s growth.
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Midwest and Northeast housing markets hold strong
According to Cotality’s October 2026 U.S. home price insights, national single-family home price growth reaccelerated modestly in August, rising 1.8% year-over-year compared to 1.6% in July. This marks the fifth consecutive month of reacceleration in home price growth. The housing market continues to soften, as potential homebuyers pull back in September’s pending home sales.
According to Cotality’s Chief Economist, Dr. Selma Hepp, the core trend shaping the market is the shift away from the once-booming Sunbelt and West Coast cities toward more affordable, inventory-constrained regions in the Midwest and Northeast.
“The national housing market shows a clear split between short-term sensitivity to interest rates and long-term supply shortages,” said Hepp. “High mortgage rates continue to suppress transaction volumes, but severe inventory constraints in the Midwest and Northeast are insulating home prices from broader declines and fueling localized appreciation.”
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Mortgage rates average 7.28%
According to Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS), the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 7.28% as of Oct. 1, 2026.
“With mortgage rates on their current trajectory, the housing market continues to be supported by favorable economic conditions,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist.
The current 30-year FRM averaged 7.28%, up from 7.03% the previous week. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.34%. The 15-year FRM averaged 6.60%, up from 6.42% the previous week. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 5.55%.
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Housing market could stabilize within 5 years
According to Redfin, housing costs could stabilize within the next five years if mortgage rates fall to 6% and home price growth remains steady. On the other end, the housing economy could stabilize at a slightly longer rate, six years, if mortgage rates remain the same, at about 7.5%, and home price growth flattens.
“Many house hunters feel stuck between two bad options: Stretch themselves to buy at today’s rates or wait for lower rates only to see prices climb further out of reach,” said Redfin Senior Economist Asad Khan. “But prospective buyers shouldn’t get hung up on timing the market. These hypothetical scenarios should give would-be buyers and sellers some hope that the market can normalize with only modest changes in rates or prices.”
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Brookfield Residential delivers wildfire-resilient homes in Altadena
In late September 2026, Brookfield Residential welcomed the first homeowners back to La Viña following the early 2025 Eaton Fire, which destroyed 52 homes in the community.
By partnering with municipal officials to deploy pre-approved design catalogs, the developer delivered quick turnaround times, with the residents moving in only six months after groundbreaking. All units were completed on or under budget while achieving Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) enhanced wildfire-resilience certification.
“After witnessing their many different tragedies, it’s been exceptionally heartwarming to help these families return home,” said Brookfield Residential President and Chief Executive Officer Adrian Foley. “It’s also been instructive for homebuilders such as Brookfield Residential to collaborate on efficient and resilient methods of rebuilding in response to disasters.”
Foley is also a cofounder of the Builders Alliance, a non-profit that brings together homebuilders for fire rebuild efforts. Brookfield Residential has projects in development in Altadena and under pre-development agreements in the Palisades.
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A More Balanced Market is Here
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