new houses

every house (except 2 or 3) have beautiful new houses, not having a house, even for a semester should definitely be something a pnm should consider because it can detract from your experience and ease at getting to know new sisters :)

Are you referring to the sororities getting new houses this year? (Phi Mu, Kappa, ZTA) If so, these houses are already highly desired by a lot of PNMs, so I can't imagine how it would hurt them. If you're referring to the other 3 about to start construction (PBP, DZ, AOPi) I think PBP will still do fine as they always do without having a house, but it could turn away some PNMs who really want the experience of a house right off the bat. I think DZ and AOPi could end up being more desirable by some PNMs due to their new houses, but you never know!

I think getting a new house always creates more interest in a house.
Would expect sororities with new houses to have a stronger rush, or at least the perception is that they got a better pledge class than otherwise. I would say gphi has gotten lot of credit for better pledge class this year, to me it's the same old group.