Houzez v4.0.0 Released on June 03, 2025
[Important] Clear site and browser cache (including CDN) and update all required plugins.
1. [New] Bootstrap 5.3 Upgrade
We’ve upgraded the entire framework to Bootstrap 5.3 and removed the legacy CSS. Any custom CSS built for previous Houzez releases may need adjustments to align with the new structure. The theme’s architecture has been reworked to fully leverage Bootstrap 5.3:
- Modern, Lightweight Foundation
Bootstrap 5 brings a cleaner, more modular codebase, making Houzez faster, leaner, and easier to maintain.
- Future-Proof Development
By adopting Bootstrap 5, we ensure Houzez remains compatible with evolving WordPress standards and third-party integrations, allowing us to roll out new features seamlessly.
- Advanced Responsive Grid
Enjoy a responsive layout that adapts flawlessly across all devices—from large desktop screens down to smartphones—without extra configuration.
- Improved Performance & Stability
Reduced CSS/JS bloat and fewer conflicts with other libraries result in faster load times and a smoother user experience.
- CSS Variables for Easy Customization
Bootstrap 5’s support for CSS variables lets you tailor colors, spacing, and typography directly from the Theme Options panel—no child-theme edits required.
- Broader Compatibility & Scalability
The updated code ensures Houzez works reliably with current plugins and upcoming technologies, giving your real estate site a solid foundation for years to come.
2. [New] Demo Sites
3. [New] User Management
- User Approval System
When enabled, new users will need admin approval before they can log in. Read more.
- User Verification System
When enabled, users must submit official documents (e.g., ID card, passport) for verification. Read more.
4. [New] Media Manager
- Offers a central dashboard with analytics and dynamic image‐size controls (including smart cropping) for efficient media organization and performance. Read more.
- Big Improvements for Image Size Generation
Now Houzez generates only three size variations per image instead of nine.
5. [New] Smart Map Management System
Provides smart selection between Google Maps, Mapbox, and OpenStreetMap—dynamically optimizing provider, cost, and performance for different site areas.
Read More
- Mapbox GL JS API Integration
Live example: https://labs.mapbox.com/demo-realestate/
- Maximum Zoom Level Option
(Theme Options → Map Settings)
- Half-Map “Move to Find Listings”
- Current Geolocation Search
- Country Restriction for Geo Autocomplete
(WP Admin panel)
- New Info Window Design
- New Price-Pins Marker Design
- Update Half-Map Listings According to Map Coordinates
- Option to Show All Listings on Map
– For listing template pages (enable in Theme Options → Listing Options)
– For search result pages (enable in Theme Options → Search Result Page)
- Option to Show Header Map for Taxonomies
(Cities, Types, etc.; enable when adding/editing a City or Type)
- Default Zoom Level for Maps
In previous versions, the map auto-zoomed based on number of listings. Now you can set a fixed default zoom level, even if there are only 1–2 listings.
6. [New] Agent & Agency Features
- Verified Badge for Agents and Agencies
- Agent Card Elementor Widget
(for property detail pages and other pages)
- Agent/Agency Stats Graphs Preview in Elementor
7. [New] Search Builder Elementor Widget: Collapsed Filters Option
Previously, the Search Builder widget lacked a way to hide filters by default—now you can configure filters to appear collapsed, delivering a cleaner interface that loads faster, reduces visual clutter, and keeps users focused on their most relevant search criteria.
8. [New] Frontend & Layout
- Off-Canvas Mobile Menu
- Grid Columns Option for Taxonomy Pages
- Property Card v6 Four-Column Option
(for templates and Elementor widget)
- Dynamic Thousands and Decimal Separator
For price-range slider
- Option to Add Image-Limit for Listings Grid Gallery
- New Design for Frontend Dashboard
A modern, flexible, and responsive user dashboard featuring improved navigation, UI/UX, and an updated layout for a better overall experience.
- Option to Show/Hide Frontend Dashboard Profile Fields
(Theme Options → Profile Fields)
- Sticky Mobile Header Option
- Option to show/hide frontend dashboard profiles fields. Setting can be found under Theme Options → Profile Fields
9. [New] Plugins Management System
A centralized dashboard that shows total, active, update-available, and required plugins, with quick actions to install required plugins, update all, refresh status, and filter plugins by category.
10. [New] Code Refactor & Modularization
- Rewrite search_functions.php and Convert It into class-houzez-property-search.php
- Separate Property-Submission Code into class-houzez-property-submit.php
- Rewrite class-houzez-data-source.php
(now used to fetch all template data from the database)
- Rewrite custom.js to Make It Modular
Developers can override or extend individual modules without copying the entire file into a child theme.
- Combine All Google Maps–Related Code into houzez-google-maps.js
- Move Mapbox GL JS Code into houzez-mapbox.js
- Combine All OpenStreetMap Code into houzez-openstreetmap.js
11. [Improved]
- Overall Theme Codebase
Better speed, security, and performance.
- Import Locations: A revamped CSV import interface that automatically creates hierarchical country, state, city, and area taxonomies while displaying real-time counts and offering “Fetch CSV Headers” and “Refresh Page” actions.
- JavaScript Improvements
- Split into multiple modules
- Reduced code duplication
- Modernized syntax & APIs
- Improved performance & memory usage (e.g., cached DOM selectors, debounced/throttled heavy operations, cleaned-up event listeners)
12. [Updated]
- Admin Panel Complete UI
- Font Awesome → v6.7.2
- Price-Range Slider Design
- Google Maps API
- Houzez Theme Functionality Plugin
- Houzez Login/Register Plugin
- Houzez CRM Plugin
- Favethemes Insights Plugin
- Houzez Studio Plugin
- Slider Revolution plugin
13. [Houzez Studio]
Ten new templates for Houzez studio.
