What do today’s new construction buyers really want and what are builders still getting wrong? In this episode of the Anewgo of New Home Sales Podcast, Anya Chrisanthon sits down with Chattanooga powerhouse Realtor and team leader Grace Frank to unpack the latest design, pricing, and buyer-behavior trends shaping 2025 and beyond.

You’ll hear how Grace built one of the top new construction teams in her market, why she’s obsessed with smart design and “mystery shopping” through open houses, and what she’s seeing on the ground with relocation buyers, energy-efficient homes, and multi-generational living.

In this episode, we cover:

• The state of the Chattanooga new construction market and why secondary markets are booming
• Why price parity between resale and new construction is changing buyer expectations
• Single-story vs. two-story, masters on main, flex spaces, and the rise of zero-lot-line homes
• Energy efficiency that actually sells: solar, insulation, HVAC, and how to talk ROI vs. “saving the planet”
• Design mistakes that make new homes sit — and how to create timeless, “wow” kitchens and baths
• How multi-gen layouts and on-property studios/in-law suites are reshaping floorplans
• What’s really happening with commissions post-lawsuit in new construction and resale
• Builder incentives that still work: rate buydowns, design credits, and smart lender partnerships
• Why builders should treat open houses like live focus groups (and do a lot more of them)
• Tips for working with relocation buyers who are shopping remotely but want to feel confident in a move
  
  

If you’re a builder, marketer, or on-site sales pro planning your strategy for 2026, this conversation will help you rethink product, design, and customer experience so you can sell more homes in a shifting market.

Heading to the NAHB International Builders’ Show (IBS) 2026 in Orlando? In this episode, I’m joined by Rick Baldonado, National Director of New Construction at Homes.com, to break down the must-see sessions, can’t-miss parties, and where to find both Anewgo and Homes.com all week long.

👉 Catch Rick’s previous episode on Homes.com for builders: Homes.com for Builders: Your Listing, Your Lead

Featured IBS 2026 Education Sessions

Session 1 — Storytelling + Tech
Digital Chemistry: How Storytelling & Tech Can Win Buyers’ Hearts (and Sales)

When: Thursday, Feb 19 | 11:00–11:30 AM
Where: Sales Central
Speakers: Anya Chrisanthon, Alaina Money-Garman & Chad Davies

Session 2 — Innovation & Affordability
Reshaping Home Building: Innovative, Efficient & Affordable Communities That Last

When: Tuesday, Feb 17 | 10:00–11:00 AM
Where: West 308C
Speakers: Beth Byrd & P. Allen Smith

Session 3 — AI Buyers + AI Assistants
AI Buyers & Sales Assistants: Revolutionizing Your Website’s New Home Shopping Experience

When: Wednesday, Feb 18 | 10:15–10:45 AM
Where: AI & Tech Studio – West 230

Speakers: John Lee, Barrett Davis, Mel Cervin

Find Anewgo & Homes.com at IBS

• Anewgo is sponsoring Sales Central this year-come see us there, meet the team, and get hands-on with our latest tech.
  
  
• We’ll be showcasing our AI Sales Assistants and how they transform your website into a truly interactive new-home shopping experience.
  
  
• Homes.com will have a major booth presence on the expo floor-Booth S4082 put it on your “must visit” list to hear what’s new, what’s next, and how builders can get more from their listings.
  
  

Awards & The Nationals

• 🏆 Anewgo is officially a Silver Finalist at The Nationals—and we’re up for Gold!
  Our nomination is for Best Website, awarded for the stunning, high-performing site we created in partnership with Garman Homes. This project represents the future of what an AI-ready, fully interactive, conversion-focused builder website can be… and now it’s in the running for the industry’s top honor.
• We’ll chat about why The Nationals are considered the “Oscars of new home sales & marketing,” what the night is like, and why it’s one of the most energizing celebrations of innovation, creativity, and talent in our industry. Fingers crossed for Gold!

Parties & Networking

IBS is as much about connections as it is about content:

Homes.com Party (Wednesday Night @ PBR Cowboy Bar)
Co-hosted with Anewgo and Builder Designs—this is shaping up to be the marketing + sales party of IBS.
👉 Email me for your invite!

🥂 We also chat about:

IBS House Party
YP events and leadership connections
How to maximize networking if it’s your first time at IBS

In this conversation, we cover:

• How AI buyers and AI Assistants are reshaping new home search and websites
• Why Sales Central is the heartbeat for sales & marketing pros at IBS
• Practical tips for first-time attendees (shoes, schedules, sanity!)
• How

To watch this webinar with slides CLICK HERE

Buyers aren’t just searching anymore: they’re asking, and they expect instant, intelligent answers. In this webinar, Anewgo CEO John Lee breaks down how AI Sales Assistants are redefining digital engagement and why traditional websites and basic chatbots can’t keep up.

You’ll learn:

-Why today’s static, page-based websites create friction—and what “AI-ready” websites do differently
-The key differences between a traditional chatbot and a true AI Sales Assistant (memory, context, personalization, multimodal search, and more)
-How AI transforms the home shopping journey, giving buyers real-time answers, curated matches, and visual guidance
-What AI-powered qualification looks like when every message is tracked, analyzed, and scored
-How AI Assistants reshape lead capture, follow-up, and sales workflows—for OSCs, onsite agents, and marketing teams
-A first-look preview of Anewgo’s upcoming AI Assistant ('Robin'), built on real builder data and trained through an industry-specific AI Academy

If you’ve been wondering how AI will change buyer expectations—and what builders need to do to stay ahead—this session is your roadmap.


📅 Book time with Beth Byrd: https://calendly.com/beth-anewgo