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Housing activity grows at a steady pace heading into fall

The market experienced steady year-over-year growth across almost all housing indicators in September.  Single-family housing authorizations were up for the second consecutive month, signaling strong demand and homebuilder confidence in the market. New construction grew alongside construction employment in the U.S. last month. However, construction employment remains well below levels seen in the months preceding... Read More

Housing activity experiences blanket increases for the first time since November

Housing activity experienced notable growth in August, seemingly spurred along by historically low mortgage rates and increases in consumer demand driven by post-pandemic shifts in homebuying behaviors. In the new construction sphere, single-family housing authorizations increased, a sign that housing activity is advancing in the face of the pandemic. As builders work to close the... Read More

Housing activity advances in the face of the ongoing pandemic

Even five months into the pandemic, many industries are still experiencing the effects of COVID-19. However, U.S. housing activity has notably pushed past the early turmoil it experienced. After several months of hesitation, housing indicators are beginning to show growth once again. Maintenance and remodeling activity—a subset of maintenance that includes renovations, additions, and alterations—increased... Read More

Housing activity declines across the board, but a rebound may be imminent

New and existing housing activity declined across the board in May. However, a trend is beginning to appear within the housing market, where other housing indicators—existing home sales, construction jobs, mortgage locks, homebuilder sentiment, and more—started seeing improvement this month. Maintenance and remodeling—a subset of maintenance that includes renovations, additions, and alterations—declined year over year... Read More

Maintenance and remodel activity sinks as the pandemic worsens

COVID-19 reached its peak in the United States last month and the housing market felt the strain of the pandemic. A record number of houses were pulled off the market, new construction slowed, and existing home sales decreased. Existing housing activity, which often sees a boost from property transactions, was no exception. Across the board,... Read More

Housing activity slides as COVID-19 outbreak spreads in the U.S.

March was a turning point for the United States as, state by state, the COVID-19 outbreak led to shelter-in-place orders across the nation. In fact, according to The New York Times, by the end of March, more than 80% of the population across 32 states had been urged to shelter-in-place. As a result, while some... Read More

Housing Activity Remains Strong Amidst COVID-19 Outbreak

The U.S. stock market and broader economy has started to decline reportedly amidst concerns that COVID-19, a new, contagious virus, has become an increasing concern across the United States. However, the February BuildFax Housing Health Report (BHHR) revealed that housing activity has continued to grow. Single-family housing authorizations increased modestly year-over-year. Meanwhile, existing housing activity,... Read More

Despite National Growth, New Construction Activity Is Sluggish in Major Metros

The January BuildFax Housing Health Report (BHHR) revealed healthy growth across new and existing housing activity. Single-family housing authorizations increased 6.03% year over year but decreased 0.41% month over month, remaining relatively flat. Existing housing activity, which encompasses maintenance and remodeling, which is a subset of maintenance that includes renovations, additions, and alterations, experienced moderate... Read More

People in the U.S. Are Moving Less but May Be Remodeling More

The December BuildFax Housing Health Report (BHHR) revealed another increase in year-over-year single-family housing authorizations, which grew 4.82% this month after climbing 7.09% in November. However, month over month, single-family housing authorizations declined 2.61%. After declining for a majority of 2019, the rolling three-month outlook rounded out the year on a positive note, increasing 5.77%.... Read More

The Probability of a Recession Declined in November as Housing Indicators Increase

The November BuildFax Housing Health Report (BHHR) revealed a substantial increase in year-over-year single-family housing authorizations at 7.09% after the indicator declined for much of 2019. Additionally, after reaching a peak in September, the probability of a recession is now declining again. Maintenance and remodeling activity also increased this month. This could have been propelled... Read More