Spa-style amenities, customizable lighting options, integrated technology, storage solutions — and ample space for these features — all surfaced as top trends.

By region, sales rose in the Midwest, Northeast and South but fell in the West. 

Bold, geometric designs like chevrons, sunbursts, zigzags and stepped shapes are making a huge comeback as of late — and Houzz said that will continue into 2026.

The typical asking rent for an average rental unit reached $2,917.

Average rental costs for a single-family home have been decreasing for four consecutive quarters.

The chief economist for the National Association of REALTORS® also predicts home prices will climb 4% compared to 2025. 

Boston climbed four spots in the rankings last year, from No. 9 to No. 5.

Closings grew 5.6% year over year, with 3,921 single-family homes sold.

At the same time, the average age of the first-time buyer hit an all-time high of 40, according to the 2025 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers. 

At the top of the list? WaterSense fixtures — the plumbing solution, which claims to reduce water use by more than 20%, increased in popularity by 289.6%.

Nationwide, the median price for a single-family home increased 1.7% year over year to $426,800. Prices increased by the same annual rate during the second quarter.

Pew’s original research found building single-stairway multifamily buildings to be 6% to 13% less expensive than dual-stairway structures of similar size.

Strong worker protections and job opportunities rocketed Massachusetts to the top spot.

Existing home sales grew and inventory boomed in Boston’s housing market this past month, according to the latest housing scorecard.

How will the government shutdown hit the real estate market? Will big company mergers change the industry landscape? Economist Matthew Gardner is back answering those questions and more in his Q3 2025 Update with Agent Publishing Co-Founder Anne Hartnett.

The median price for a single-family home in Greater Boston reached $880,000 in September, up 3.5% from the same month last year, but still nowhere near the $1 million milestone hit earlier in the year.