Better Homes And Gardens Real Estate Launches Training Program

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate (BHGRE) has rolled out its Trendmaker Accreditation program nationwide following a 2024 pilot.

The program trains affiliated brokers and agents on consumer behavior, home design trends and market-related lifestyle factors.

Curriculum includes insights from Better Homes & Gardens magazine editors, economic analysts and other industry professionals — with course topics that cover home construction, smart-home technology, outdoor living and staging strategies.

“Not only do BHGRE affiliated agents help people find a house, they play a critical role in helping them turn it into their home,” said Ginger Wilcox, president of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate. “By connecting the dots between the trusted Better Homes & Gardens brand and highly engaged BHGRE network of affiliated real estate professionals, we’re delivering unmatched value to today’s lifestyle-driven consumer.”

Karrie-Ann Sheppard, vice president of learning, and Leah Wright, director of brand marketing, will assist Wilcox in leading the program.

It includes contributions from People Inc., the publisher of Better Homes & Gardens, as well as industry figures such as Lauren Bengtson, senior home editor at Better Homes & Gardens, and Caleb Silver, editor-in-chief at Investopedia.

Agents who complete the course receive the title of Home Trend Specialist. The training covers:

• Design trends: Seasonal and emerging home style preferences for staging, renovations and buyer guidance.
• Consumer psychology: How economic changes, generational differences and behavioral patterns influence real estate decisions.
• Marketing application: Workshops on integrating trend insights into listing presentations and social media content.

“The Trendmaker class was incredibly informative,” said Nichole Fecteau, an agent with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate The Masiello Group. “Staying ahead of the curve in style and innovation empowers me to better guide my listing clients in preparing their homes for sale and assist new construction buyers in designing their future homes.

“I left the class with a deeper understanding of home design and the choices that truly make a difference.”

The brand also launched bi-monthly polls of affiliated agents to track market and lifestyle trends in real time.