Eye On Housing
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Rose Quint is Assistant Vice President for Survey Research. Ms. Quint holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Economics/International Business from Old Dominion University as well as a Master’s degree in Economics from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Her responsibilities include planning and conducting industry surveys, specifically in the areas of builder sentiment, remodeling, housing affordability, and AD&C financing issues. Ms. Quint is also responsible for special research projects, such as studies on builders’ profitability, consumer preferences, construction costs, and membership census. She joined NAHB in 1999.
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What Has Happened to Builders’ Profit Levels?
Every couple of years, NAHB Economics asks single-family builders nationwide to provide data from their income statements and balance sheets so that industry-wide benchmarks on profit margins, asset and equity positions can be determined. Results from the recently released Cost of Doing Business Study: 2014 Edition show that margins in 2012 improved over 2008 and 2010, but are still lower than… Read More ›
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Builders Have Eased Use of Sales Incentives
One way many builders choose to bolster sales and/or limit cancellations is by providing incentives that sweeten the deal for home buyers. The popularity of these incentives, however, is very much tied to the cycles of the housing industry. A survey of NAHB’s builder members found that 36 percent are not offering any kind of special incentives in October 2013,… Read More ›
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Remodelers Report Labor Shortages
A recent NAHB survey reveals that professional remodelers have begun to see some shortages of directly employed labor as well as of subcontractors. The findings come from the Labor Availability Report EXTERNAL for the first quarter of 2013, which asked remodelers about shortages for 12 different trades: Rough Carpenters Finished Carpenters Electricians Excavators Framing crews … Read More ›
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Housing Affordability Holding Strong in Early 2013
Nationwide housing affordability held near historic highs in the first quarter of 2013, according to the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index (HOI), at 73.7 percent, down slightly from 74.9 percent in the final quarter of 2012. The HOI is the share of new and existing homes sold in a quarter affordable to a family earning the… Read More ›
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Government Issues New Definitions for Metropolitan Statistical Areas
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) recently issued new delineations for the nation’s Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) and Metropolitan Divisions, based on data from the 2010 Census. Major changes to MSA definitions take place every 10 years, when population counts and commuting patterns are revised following the decennial census. In 2013, 23 brand new areas were designated as MSAs:… Read More ›
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How Big a Home Do Home Buyers Want?
In the world of home buyer preferences, there is one question that pops up more often than any other: how much space are home buyers looking for? NAHB’s study What Home Buyers Really Want answers this important question, based on responses from more than 3,600 home buyers, sampled to represent all home buyers in the country[1]. Among all home buyers… Read More ›
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What Do Home Buyers Really Want?
Many in the housing industry are wondering not only what today’s home buyers really want, but also what they are ready to leave behind in light of current economic realities. A new study recently released by NAHB, What Home Buyers Really Want, was designed to answer these questions, and more specifically, to provide the most current and accurate information on… Read More ›
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Housing Affordability Increases at Year-End 2012
Exceptionally low interest rates helped ensure a slight gain in nationwide housing affordability amid relatively stable house prices in the final quarter of 2012. The NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index (HOI) rose to 74.9 percent, up from 74.1 percent in the third quarter. The HOI is the share of new and existing homes sold in a quarter affordable to a… Read More ›
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How Much Does The Average Remodeler Earn in a Year?
The Remodelers’ Cost of Doing Business Study, recently released by NAHB, is based on a nationwide survey of residential remodelers. The survey, conducted in 2012, asked remodelers to provide their income statements and balance sheets for fiscal year 2011. The study helps remodelers compare their financial performance against benchmarks for the industry as a whole as well as assess the… Read More ›
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Nationwide Housing Affordability Improves in Third Quarter
Lower interest rates helped make homes more affordable to median-income families even as house prices continued to inch up in metro areas across the country in the third quarter of 2012. The NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index (HOI) rose to 74.1 in the third quarter, up slightly from 73.8 in the previous quarter. The HOI is the share of new… Read More ›