Dream Home Network Reimagines LakeHouse.com with Innovative Design Partnership

Dream Home Network has recently unveiled a redesigned version of LakeHouse.com along with a new parent platform, DreamHomeNetwork.com. This launch marks a significant step in the company’s commitment to modernize its digital presence, facilitated by a strategic partnership with Big Human. The collaboration aims to enhance user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) across the network's collection of niche real estate brands, catering to specific lifestyle-focused markets.

As a pioneer in the niche real estate industry, Dream Home Network has been operational for almost 30 years. Its flagship site, LakeHouse.com, continues to hold substantial market authority by facilitating connections between buyers, sellers, and renters of lake properties both in the United States and on an international scale. The network is not limited to LakeHouse.com; it comprises several highly specialized platforms such as BeachHouse.com, MountainHomes.com, and GolfHomes.com, among others. Additionally, Dream Home Network manages a portfolio of premium domain names that emphasize its growth potential in the future.

A Legacy of Connecting Buyers to Lifestyle-Driven Properties

Founded by Kirk and Wren Tidwell, Dream Home Network’s lineage boasts years of dedication and passion, establishing it as a trusted name in real estate. With a firm belief in preserving the core values of the brand that consumers have come to recognize, the new ownership sought a revitalization of the entire ecosystem. They aimed to modernize the platform while respecting the brand's established reputation.

To spearhead this transition, Dream Home Network chose Big Human as its strategic design and product partner. Joseph Carter, the owner of Dream Home Network, emphasized the emotional significance of the brand built by the Tidwells. He noted, “Big Human understood what we'd built and what it meant to our agents and our buyers, and they brought that same care to every decision.” This careful approach ensured that while modernization was crucial, the brand's identity remained intact.

A Unified Design System for Multiple Platforms

Instead of revamping each platform in isolation, Big Human created a cohesive design system that can be efficiently applied across the entire Dream Home Network. This unified system incorporates shared templates and a consistent visual language while still allowing each brand to retain its unique identity. John Kim, Director of Design at Big Human, explained, “Where the platforms differ in meaningful ways, the system flexes to accommodate them. Where they don't, everything stays consistent.”

This approach enhances scalability and ensures that the revamped branding translates seamlessly across various formats, including digital media, print advertising, promotional merchandise, and outdoor advertising, reaching a broader audience.

The redesigned browsing and search experience reflects the specific habits of Dream Home Network users. Many potential buyers often have a particular lake, community, or lifestyle at the forefront of their search. Therefore, the new design prioritizes location and lifestyle-driven discovery over traditional search filters, improving usability and streamlining the overall experience.

Furthermore, the updated agent portal is designed to improve support for real estate professionals using the platform. Dream Home Network now offers agents enhanced visibility across its platforms, coupled with a more efficient workflow and optimized mobile performance.

Steve Spurgat, Managing Partner at Big Human, highlights the importance of maintaining brand equity established over decades. He states,