Featuring the perspectives of:

Amy Jones
Senior VP of Sales, Dallas-Fort Worth, Highland Homes

Ken McDonald
Region President, David Weekley Homes

Will you add inventory in 2025? Can you tell us about your plans?

Amy Jones: Yes, we plan to continue adding inventory throughout 2025 to meet the needs of customers who require move-in ready homes due to their unique circumstances. Not everyone can wait for a build, and we aim to serve all our customers by offering solutions tailored to their timelines and preferences. We’re building in 44 neighborhoods across the Metroplex, with plans to introduce more than 25 new model homes in 2025 to showcase our latest floor plans and elevations. Our in-house architecture team will create 50 new floor plans in 2025, ensuring we stay ahead of trends and deliver homes that align with modern living.

Ken McDonald: We have several new communities and new sections of established communities opening in 2025. Within these, we’ll have a variety of homes that are built from the ground up and move-in ready, and all will feature a model home for touring once opened. We’re expanding into Waxahachie, Crowley, Mesquite and Rockwall. Additionally, we have central areas including Dallas, Fort Worth and Irving.

Will agents be important to your plans in 2025? If so, how?

Jones: Absolutely. Agents have been a vital part of our business since we started Highland Homes in 1985, and they always will be. We deeply value the expertise and partnership they bring to the table. In 2025, we look forward to strengthening those relationships by celebrating new model home openings, providing agents with exclusive first looks and gathering their valuable feedback.

Which type of new-construction housing (condo, town home, single-family) do you expect to be most in demand in 2025?

McDonald: Single-family homes are still very much in demand. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, production of new single-family homes reached more than one million annually in 2022 and 2023. Most of our homes are within master-planned communities, which is a popular attraction. Residents enjoy having activities and amenities right outside their door, whether it’s walking and hiking trails, pools, parks, open spaces or gyms.

Jones: While each type of housing has a place, we believe single-family homes will remain the most in-demand. This trend has persisted for many years, especially given the ongoing housing shortage in North Texas.

What new-home amenities will be hot in 2025? In other words, what are homebuyers asking for in a new property?

Jones: At Highland, we prioritize designing homes that enhance how our customers live at every stage of life. In 2025, we expect continued demand for features that maximize functionality and comfort. Oversized pantries and utility rooms are highly sought after for their storage capacity. We’ve also introduced innovative layouts with dual work zones or pocket offices to meet the needs of today’s homeowners who require more spaces to work and study.

Outdoor living is another area of focus, as it’s become an extension of the home. Our designs feature oversized patios, perfect for year-round enjoyment and entertaining. Additionally, we’re excited to unveil modern elevations in our home designs, offering a fresh, contemporary aesthetic that resonates with today’s buyers.

McDonald: We continue to see interest in flexible and private workspaces for families. whether that’s for working from home or schoolwork for children. In most of our floor plans, we offer FlexSpaceSM options, which can be utilized as an office, school room or at home gym.

Home wellness features are also top of mind for homebuyers — from clean, fresh air to lighting and flow within the home. Thanks to our low-E windows, formaldehyde-free insulation and fresh air ventilation systems, our home building process incorporates a variety of measures to create a healthy home for families. We also utilize ideal placement of windows, making them a part of the interior design much like artwork. And thanks to the traffic patterns we place in our designs, we ensure buyers have multiple ways to move through the main rooms of a home.

Check out this year’s other predictions below!