The moment we’ve been waiting twenty years for is finally here. Blizzard just released the Housing 101: Getting Started gameplay trailer, and it’s everything we hoped for and more. If you’ve been glued to Reddit like I have, you’ve probably seen the explosion of excitement over the new systems coming to World of Warcraft.
With Early Access dropping tomorrow, December 2, 2025, the trailer gave us our first deep dive into exactly how we’ll be staking our claims in Azeroth. Forget the garrison; this is proper, cozy, customizable housing. Let’s break down the key takeaways from the trailer so you’re ready to move in the second the servers go live.
Two Neighborhoods, One Community
The trailer confirmed that we aren’t just getting instanced boxes; we’re getting neighborhoods. Depending on your faction, you’ll be setting up shop in one of two distinct zones:
- Founder’s Point (Alliance): Think classic Alliance architecture—sturdy stone, blue accents, and that distinct Elwynn Forest vibe.
- Razorwind Shores (Horde): A more rugged, spike-adorned aesthetic that screams “Victory or Death” (but comfortably).
The best part? Cross-faction visitation is fully supported. Your Orc warrior can finally invite their Human paladin friend over for a tea party without the guards attacking. It’s a huge win for the social aspect of the game.
Customization: Basic vs. Advanced Modes
One of the smartest things Blizzard showed off is the dual-mode editing system. They know not everyone is a Sims architect, so they’ve split the controls:
| Feature | Basic Mode | Advanced Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Placement | Snap-to-grid furniture | Free placement (XYZ axis) |
| Complexity | Simple click-and-drop | Precision rotation & scaling |
| Best For | Quick decoration | Intricate custom builds |
Warbands: One House to Rule Them All
Perhaps the biggest relief is the confirmation of Warband integration. You don’t need to grind out a separate house for every single alt. Your housing unlock is account-wide. Any furniture you loot, craft, or buy on your main is immediately available to your alts. This respects our time and makes collecting rare decor feel much more rewarding since you only have to do it once.
Getting Started Tomorrow
If you’ve pre-ordered the Midnight expansion, your journey begins tomorrow, December 2. The trailer hinted at a short introductory questline that awards the “Welcome Home” achievement and your first set of basic furniture. It looks like we’ll be meeting a new NPC housing coordinator in our capital cities to get the keys.
FAQs
1. When does WoW player housing officially launch?
Early access begins tomorrow, December 2, 2025, for anyone who has pre-purchased the Midnight expansion. The full feature will launch alongside the expansion on March 2, 2026.
2. Can I visit my friend’s house if they are on the other faction?
Yes! The trailer confirmed cross-faction visitation. You can visit friends regardless of whether they live in Founder’s Point or Razorwind Shores.
3. Do I have to buy a house for every character?
No. Housing is Warband-bound, meaning it is shared across your entire account. All your characters can access and contribute to the same home.
4. Is there an upkeep cost or rent?
Blizzard has stated there are no “onerous upkeep” costs or rent mechanics. Once you unlock your home, it’s yours to keep without worrying about losing it if you take a break from the game.
5. Can I change the exterior of my house?
Yes. You can customize the exterior architecture, though it seems you are generally locked to the architectural style of your neighborhood (Alliance style for Alliance zones, Horde for Horde zones), but within that, you can change roofs, facades, and decorations.
Conclusion
The “Housing 101” trailer has successfully built the hype train. By combining robust customization tools with alt-friendly systems, Blizzard seems to have finally cracked the code on how to bring player housing to Azeroth properly. I don’t know about you, but I’m clearing my schedule for tomorrow. I’ll see you in Founder’s Point—I’ll be the one trying to figure out how to rotate a chair for three hours.