Meritage Homes Announces Design Collections, A Transformative Approach to New Home Design Supported By New Homebuyer Research

Industry-First Solution to Simplify the Interior Design Process for Buyers of New Home Construction

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Jan. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Meritage Homes, the seventh-largest public homebuilder in the U.S., today announced the launch of Design Collections, a transformative, industry-first approach to the design process offering curated options for move-up buyers. Additionally, Meritage Homes shared the findings from a new consumer research study that provided the strategic foundation that drove the development of the new Design Collections and Studio M experience.

Traditionally, the home design process could be best described with one term: design fatigue. Under that approach, most buyers experience a paradox of choice caused by an over-abundance of selections that often cause stress in decision-making. This complicated decision cycle then prolongs the process beyond what is warranted. According to the new Wakefield study¹ commissioned by Meritage Homes, buyers of new home construction across new home builders found a few key barriers to the process which centered around three main concerns: the time needed to design the interior of their new home, making cohesive style choices and sticking to their budget. 

Buyers’ Time is Valuable

• Many buyers of new home construction found themselves making several trips to the design center due to their inability to make a decision. One in four buyers found the new home construction design process stressful.
• Nearly 40 percent of buyers spent more than 20 hours in the design center throughout the course of the building process.

Making the Right Choices

• Once decision choices were made, buyers still experienced stress by worrying if they made the wrong decisions and often experienced buyer’s remorse.
• Thirty-seven percent of buyers said their homes didn’t turn out the way they wanted — 26 percent of buyers found that their design selections did not come together as expected in the end.

Staying on Budget

• While design aesthetic is a top concern for buyers, so is their budget. Most buyers come in with a budget they want to stick to during the new home construction process.
• Forty-five percent of buyers noted they exceeded their budget in upgrades by over $21,000 on average. An overage of this amount often leads to frustration and dissatisfaction.

To transform the new home  interior design process, Design Collections by Meritage Homes are designer-curated collections that enable buyers to confidently and efficiently style the home of their dreams through a streamlined and personalized experience at the Studio M Design Center. Customers are now getting a dream interior with clear, transparent pricing that allows them to select high-quality finishes for a greater value. Ultimately, it enables buyers to have as much peace of mind about their budget as they do about their home’s design.