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.