Eye On Housing
Apartment Absorption Steady While Condominium Absorption Climbs
The U.S. Census Bureau produces the Survey of Market Absorption (SOMA), which tracks what happens to apartments in buildings with five or more units after they are completed. In the third quarter of 2017, 77,900 unfurnished, unsubsidized rental apartments were completed. This is a 6 percent increase over units completed in the third quarter of 2016 (73,400 units) (FIGURE 1)…. Read More ›
Recent Posts
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Who are NAHB’s Builder Members?
Every year the National Association of Home Builders conducts a member census in order to better understand the composition and characteristics of the people who belong to its organization. In 2017, 32 percent of NAHB’s members were builders—those directly involved in home building. The remaining 68 percent were associate members—those involved in supportive industries and professions, such as trade contractors,… Read More ›
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Remodeling Market Index Remains in Strong Territory Despite Three Point Slip
The Remodeling Market Index (RMI) dipped three points to 57 in the first quarter of 2018, according to the National Association of Homebuilders. For 20 consecutive quarters the RMI has been at or above 50, which indicates that more remodelers report market activity is higher compared to the prior quarter than report it is lower (Figure 1). The overall RMI… Read More ›
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Most States Record YTD SF Permits Growth in February 2018
Over the first two months of 2018, the total number of single-family permits issued nationwide reached 123,871. On a year-over-year basis, this is an 11.2% increase over the February 2017 level of 111,356. The results from the SOC are similar, single-family permits over the second month of 2018 was, 122,800 which is 10.2% ahead of its level over the same… Read More ›
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Small Gain for Housing Starts in March
Total housing starts increased slightly in March, led by multifamily construction strength. Starts increased 1.9% to a 1.32 million seasonally adjusted annual rate, according to the joint data release from the Census Bureau and HUD. However, the pace of single-family starts declined in March, falling 3.7% to an 867,000 seasonally adjusted annual rate, due to lingering weather effects in some parts… Read More ›
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Builder Confidence Slips One Point, Remains in Solid Territory
Builder confidence in the market for newly-built single-family homes edged down one point to a level of 69 in April on the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) but remains on firm ground. Strong demand for housing is keeping builders optimistic about future market conditions. However, builders are facing supply-side constraints, such as a lack of… Read More ›
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Construction Job Openings Higher Year-Over-Year
The count of unfilled jobs in the construction sector declined in February, but remains higher than a year ago. According to the BLS Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) and NAHB analysis, the number of open construction sector jobs came in at 196,000 in February. The post-recession high count of open, unfilled construction jobs was 255,000 in July of… Read More ›
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Tax Reform Toolkit: 199A for Incomes within the Phase-In Range
The prior two Tax Reform Toolkit posts have explained the new 20 percent pass-thru deduction (i.e. 199A) as it applies to pass-thru owners with: Less than $315,000 (married filer) or $157,500 (single) of taxable income, or More than $415,000 (married) or $207,500 (single) of taxable income. In the case of (1), the pass-thru deduction (A) is generally equal to 20… Read More ›
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New Home Building Employment Estimates by Congressional District
The new NAHB estimates show that the average congressional district has more than 8,800 residents working in residential construction but that number is often significantly higher. In Montana’s single Congressional district, close to 20,600 residents are in home building. The latest estimates of home building employment, including self-employed workers, by congressional district highlight the importance of home building to voting… Read More ›
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Annual Inflation Accelerates on Monthly Decline
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that consumer inflation fell by 0.1 percent over the month of March 2018 following a 0.2 percent increase in February. This is first monthly decrease since May 2017. Energy prices fell by 3 percent over the month as gasoline prices were 4.9 percent lower than their level in February. In contrast, core CPI, which… Read More ›