Trust is the currency by which customers evaluate the merits of new home builders according to national research of new home shoppers according to the Lifestory Research Most Trusted Builder in America® Study. 

Each year millions of households explore and seek a new place to live. As consumers shop for a new home, they encounter new home builders and their associated brands. Having trust in a home builder provides consumers with confidence in making a purchase decision.

Trust is the new currency that consumers are seeking from companies with whom they wish to engage in a purchase relationship. The market research study finds that three out of four (76%) shopping for a new home say that trust is a critical criterion by which they evaluate the purchase decision of a home builder, placing significant emphasis on the perceived trustworthiness of home builder brands.

So, the question is – which home builders are trusted the most by home shoppers?

“To effectively compete in the marketplace, home builders need the trust of those they serve,” said Lifestory Research President and CEO Eric Snider. “We find that customer trust is central among home shoppers as they seek to reduce uncertainty in the high-risk decision of purchasing a new home.”

In a shift away from product usage and satisfaction research, Lifestory Research’s investigation focuses on how brands influence the purchase behavior of home shoppers. “We have seen a fundamental shift in consumer psychology that has occurred in response to the social changes that have taken place over the last decade,” Snider said.  “People are turning to their peers, friends, and digital social networks to garner opinions.  Moreover, in the process of shopping for a home, consumers rely upon their direct experience to formulate a judgment of a home builder.  As a result, we have seen brands rise in importance in the consumer purchase process.” 

Since the inception of the study in 2012, the goal has been to evaluate consumer attitudes from thousands of households who are actively in the process of shopping for a new home in the US.  Trust is measured through the Lifestory Research Net Trust Quotient Score which identifies “trust advocates” and “trust antagonists.” Each Net Trust Quotient Score represents the net value of a brand on trust.  A brand with a high positive score is an indication that the brand is trusted by a large portion of the target market.  Conversely, a low score is an indication that the brand is not trusted by the consumer marketplace. 

ABOUT LIFESTORY RESEARCH

Leaders, companies, and brands know that great ideas are only useful if they move people toward action. Lifestory Research is an independent, science-driven consumer insights and strategy consulting firm that ignites relationships between companies and their audiences. We are passionate about customers, employees, brands, and the science of influence. We use quantitative and qualitative research to create customer insights, drive innovation, deliver brand strategy, and move people forward. Lifestory® and Most Trusted Builder in America® are registered trademarks. No advertising use can be made of this information without the express prior written consent of Lifestory Research.

Most Trusted Builder in America®

Most Trusted Builder in America® is a recognition of home builders that distinguish themselves in the trust they have among new home shoppers. The recognition was first established in 2012 by Lifestory Research, a national consumer research firm.