Housing Starts Slip with Multifamily Correction in April
WASHINGTON, D.C. - May 16, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- A correction from an unsustainably high level of production on the volatile multifamily side was largely responsible for a 16.5 percent dip in nationwide housing starts to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 853,000 units in April, according to newly released figures from HUD and the U.S. Census Bureau. However, permits for new construction headed solidly higher in the month, with a particularly strong gain in multifamily issuance
NAHB Calls on Congress to Establish a Fair and Workable E-Verify System
WASHINGTON, D.C. - May 16, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- As Congress debates comprehensive immigration reform, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) today called on lawmakers to establish a fair and workable employer verification system for all businesses.
Builder Confidence Improves in May
WASHINGTON, D.C. - May 15, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Builder confidence in the market for newly built, single-family homes improved three points to a 44 reading on the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) for May, released today. This gain, from a downwardly revised 41 in April, reflected improvement in all three index components – current sales conditions, sales expectations and traffic of prospective buyers
Housing Affordability Holding Strong in Early 2013
WASHINGTON, D.C. - May 14, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Nationwide housing affordability held near historic highs in this year’s first quarter, according to the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index (HOI), released today
Builder Confidence in the 55+ Housing Market Shows Strong Growth in First Quarter
WASHINGTON, D.C. - May 9, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- In the first quarter of 2013, the National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) 55+ single-family Housing Market Index (HMI) increased 19 points on a year over year basis to 46, which is the highest first-quarter number recorded since the inception of the index in 2008 and sixth consecutive quarter of year over year improvements.
Before a DIY Home Project, Consider Safety, Time and Hidden Costs
WASHINGTON, D.C. - May 2, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- To celebrate National Home Remodeling Month in May, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Remodelers recommends that home owners consider the safety risks, time delays and hidden costs before attempting do-it-yourself (DIY) home improvements.
Housing Recovery Continues but Headwinds Remain
WASHINGTON, D.C. - April 25, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Buoyed by rising home prices throughout much of the nation, both single-family and multifamily housing starts are expected to post double-digit gains over last year in 2013. However, headwinds continue to hold back even stronger growth as the housing recovery evolves, according to economists at NAHB’s Spring 2013 Construction Forecast Conference Webinar
NAHB Recognizes Earth Day as Home Building Industry Gets Greener
WASHINGTON, D.C. - April 23, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) recognizes the 43rd anniversary of Earth Day, along with millions of people worldwide. Just as the Earth Day movement has grown and advanced over the years, so too has the home building industry. In many respects, what was once considered “green building” has become more commonplace and regularly incorporated into today’s new homes
New-Home Sales Rise 1.5 Percent in March
WASHINGTON, D.C. - April 23, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) --Sales of newly built, single-family homes rose 1.5 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 417,000 units in March, according to newly released figures from HUD and the U.S. Census Bureau
Home Builders Call on Congress to Improve Immigration Bill’s Guest Worker Provisions
WASHINGTON, D.C. - April 22, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) commends the bipartisan Senate sponsors of legislation to advance comprehensive immigration reform and today called on lawmakers to improve the guest worker provisions in the bill to address the significant role that foreign workers play in the housing industry and to help alleviate current labor challenges that are hampering the housing and economic recovery
Housing Starts Rise on Strength in Multifamily in March
WASHINGTON, D.C. - April 16, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Soaring production of multifamily apartments pushed nationwide housing starts beyond the million-unit mark for the first time since 2008 in March, according to newly released figures from HUD and the U.S. Census Bureau. The data show that total starts activity rose 7.0 percent for the month due entirely to a 31.1 percent increase on the multifamily side, while single-family production slipped 4.8 percent from a number that was revised strongly upward for the previous month
Rising Costs Put Squeeze on Builder Confidence in April
WASHINGTON, D.C. - April 16, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Facing increasing costs for building materials and rising concerns about the supply of developed lots and labor, builders registered less confidence in the market for newly built, single-family homes in April, with a two-point drop to 42 on the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI), released today.
FHA Reform Efforts Must Ensure Borrowers Have Access to Affordable Home Loans
WASHINGTON, D.C. - April 10, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- With tight mortgage lending standards preventing well-qualified home buyers from obtaining home loans and impeding the housing and economic recovery, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) today expressed support for congressional efforts to reform the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) but urged lawmakers to proceed in a cautious manner to avoid any disruptions to the nation’s housing finance system.
Number of Improving Housing Markets Holding Steady in April
WASHINGTON, D.C. - April 5, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Following seven consecutive months of gains, the list of improving U.S. housing markets remained virtually unchanged in April, with 273 metros on the National Association of Home Builders/First American Improving Markets Index (IMI), released today. This total reflects a net reduction of one market since March and again includes entrants from all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
Lower Operating Costs Mean New-Home Buyers Can Afford More House
WASHINGTON, D.C. - April 1, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- During New Homes Month in April, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) is showing home buyers why they can afford a higher-priced home—if it’s new construction. Using data from the Census Bureau and Department of Housing and Urban Development’s 2011 American Housing Survey, NAHB found that buyers can purchase a more expensive newer home and achieve the same annual operating costs as an older, existing home.
New-Home Sales Decline in February from Strong January Pace
WASHINGTON, D.C. - March 25, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Sales of newly built, single-family homes declined 4.6 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 411,000 units in February from a strong pace of 431,000 units in the previous month, according to newly released figures from HUD and the U.S. Census Department. Despite the slight decline, this is the second highest monthly total since April 2010 when the federal home buyer tax credit expired.
Home Builders Call on Congress to Move Forward on Housing Finance Reform
WASHINGTON, D.C. - March 25, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The nation’s home builders today called on Congress to move forward on bipartisan housing finance reform to ensure that affordable housing credit can be delivered through a competitive, efficient, sound and stable system that maintains the crucial element of a federal backstop for the mortgage market.
List of Improving Housing Markets Rises to 274 in March
WASHINGTON, D.C. - March 21, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- The list of improving U.S. housing markets expanded for a seventh consecutive month in March to include 274 metros on the National Association of Home Builders/First American Improving Markets Index (IMI), released today. This total amounts to a net gain of 15 markets since February and includes entrants from all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
Growing Labor Shortages Impeding Housing and Economic Recovery
WASHINGTON, D.C. - March 21, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- Growing labor shortages in all facets of the residential construction sector are impeding the housing and economic recovery, according to a new survey conducted by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).
Home Builders Applaud Bill to Restore Flow of Credit to Housing, Spur Job Growth
WASHINGTON, D.C. - March 19, 2013 - (RealEstateRama) -- In a major step forward to spur job and economic growth and keep the housing recovery on track, Reps. Gary Miller (R-Calif.) and Carolyn McCarthy (D-N.Y.) today introduced bipartisan legislation that would help provide home builders access to credit for viable home building projects.