Eye On Housing
Author Archives
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Age of Construction Workers
A scarcity of labor remains an important headwind for home builders and the entire construction industry. NAHB analysis of the most recent 2015 American Community Survey (ACS) data reveals that the median age of construction workers is 41, which is the same as the median age of the overall labor force. As home building continues its recovery, there are significant… Read More ›
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Private Residential Construction Spending Slows in April
NAHB analysis of Census Construction Spending data shows that total private residential construction spending stood at a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of $522.2 billion in April, 0.7% lower than upwardly revised March estimates. The private residential construction spending slowed down after a strong start this year. However, it was still 16.7% higher than a year ago. The monthly declines… Read More ›
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Personal Spending Rises in April
Personal consumption expenditures climbed 0.4% after gaining 0.3% in March, the fastest pace since December 2016, according to the most recent data release from the Bureau of Economic Analysis. Personal income was up by 0.4% in March after a 0.3% increase in February. The solid gain in personal income was largely driven by increases in wages and salaries that rose… Read More ›
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Real Disposable Income Rises in March
Personal Income was up by 0.2% in March after a 0.3% increase in February, according to the most recent data release from the Bureau of Economic Analysis. Disposable personal income, income remaining after deducting personal income taxes, grew strongly by 0.5% in real terms. Personal consumption expenditures, while stayed flat in nominal terms for two consecutive months, rose 0.3% after… Read More ›
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Private Residential Construction Spending at Post-Recession High
NAHB analysis of Census Construction Spending data shows that total private residential construction spending grew 1.2% in March to a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of $503.4 billion. This is 7.5% higher than a year ago and represents a new post-recession high. The monthly gains are largely attributed to the strong growth of private construction spending on both multifamily and… Read More ›
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Homeownership Rate Stable
According to the Census Bureau’s Housing Vacancy Survey (HVS), the U.S. homeownership rate was 63.6% in the first quarter 2017, which is statistically no different from its last quarter reading of 63.7%. The rate of homeownership appears to be stabilizing after reaching a cycle low of 62.9% in the second quarter of 2016. Compared to the peak at the end… Read More ›
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Private Construction Spending Hits Cyclical High
NAHB analysis of Census Construction Spending data shows that total private residential construction spending grew 1.8% in February to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $484.7 billion. It was up by 6.4% from one year earlier and reached the highest level since August 2007. Multifamily construction spending continued its record breaking pace to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $64.5… Read More ›
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Steady Increase in February Personal Income
Personal Income was up by 0.4% in February, a steady growth after a 0.5% increase in January, according to the most recent data release from the Bureau of Economic Analysis. Disposable personal income – income remaining after deducting personal income taxes – rose 0.2% following a 0.1% dip in January. Personal consumption expenditures edged up by 0.1% month-on-month in February…. Read More ›
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Age of Housing Stock by State
According to the latest data from the 2015 American Community Survey (ACS), the median age of owner-occupied homes is 37 years. The age of housing stock is not evenly distributed across the United States. Among the states, New York has the oldest homes with a median age of 57 years old, followed by Massachusetts at 53 years. The median age… Read More ›
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The Aging Housing Stock
The American housing stock continues to age, especially since residential construction grew at a modest pace after the Great Recession. The median age of owner-occupied housing increased to 37 years in 2015 from 31 years a decade ago. This housing stock aging trend signals a growing market for remodelers, as older structures normally require additional remodeling and renovations. It also… Read More ›