Single-family housing authorizations increased by 1.21% year over year in May. However, the pace of year-over-year growth has slowed in recent months, in step with declining homebuilder sentiment, which fell eight points in May to the lowest reading since June 2020, according to the National Association of Home Builders. The sharp rise in mortgage rates... Read More
Maintenance volumes experienced the first, albeit slight, year-over-year decline for the first time since May 2020, when existing housing activity started to show signs of recovery following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Following strong growth in 2020 and 2021, home renovation activity may begin to cool down in step with the broader housing market.... Read More
The average interest rate for a 30-year mortgage in the United States jumped to 4.67% for the week ending March 31, 2022, the highest reading since December 2018, according to Freddie Mac. Mortgage rates have risen steadily for a month, driven higher by the Federal Reserve’s effort to combat inflation, and placing pressure on prospective... Read More
The annual inflation rate accelerated to 7.9% in February, the highest level seen since the 1980s, according to the Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. New and existing home construction experienced increases across the board in February despite rising inflation. Single-family housing activity increased nearly 5% year over year. Although new construction rose in February,... Read More
Homebuilder confidence dipped in January for the first time in four months, according to the National Association of Homebuilders. Despite homebuilder hesitation, year-over-year new construction growth edged higher in January. While strong consumer demand and the acute housing shortage support the need for new construction, the combination of higher building material costs, worsening labor shortages,... Read More
Homebuilder confidence edged higher in December because of strong consumer demand and lack of inventory, according to the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index. The supply-demand imbalance propelled housing activity in 2021; however, homebuilders continue to face headwinds from supply-chain disruptions, labor shortages, and expensive building materials. These factors are likely beginning to curb new construction... Read More