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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Americans Spent $150 billion on Home Improvements & Repairs in 2013
If one wanted to understand the characteristics of the housing stock in the US, including its size, composition, physical conditions, home improvements, characteristics of recent movers, and housing costs, the American Housing Survey (AHS) would be the place to go. The AHS is conducted every other year by the Census Bureau and sponsored by the Department of Housing and Urban… Read More ›
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Americans Spent $150 billion on Home Improvements & Repairs in 2013
If one wanted to understand the characteristics of the housing stock in the US, including its size, composition, physical conditions, home improvements, characteristics of recent movers, and housing costs, the American Housing Survey (AHS) would be the place to go. The AHS is conducted every other year by the Census Bureau and sponsored by the Department of Housing and Urban… Read More ›
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US Government: Number of Builders Declined 50% Between 2007 and 2012
Much like it counts people every 10 years, the US government counts American businesses every 5 years. This is done through the Economic Census, which is conducted by the Census Bureau in years ending in 2 and 7. Results for the residential construction industry for 2012 were recently released, officially confirming what we already knew: a significant number of builders… Read More ›
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Rising Home Values Affect Affordability in Second Quarter
Firming home prices in many housing markets resulted in a modest drop in nationwide housing affordability in the second quarter of 2015, according to the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index (HOI). In all, 63.2 percent of new and existing homes sold between the beginning of April and end of June were affordable to families earning the… Read More ›
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Developers’ Confidence About Multifamily Market Remains Steady in the First Quarter
The NAHB Multifamily Production Index (MPI) held steady with a reading of 54 for the first quarter of 2015. This is the 13th consecutive quarter with a reading of 50 or above. The MPI measures builder and developer sentiment about current conditions in the apartment and condominium market on a scale of 0 to 100. The index and all of its… Read More ›
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Housing Affordability Posts Solid Gain in First Quarter
Lower interest rates and home prices contributed to a solid boost in nationwide affordability in the first quarter of 2015, according to the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index (HOI). In all, 66.5 percent of new and existing homes sold between the beginning of January and end of March were affordable to families earning the U.S. median… Read More ›
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Housing Affordability Edges Up in the Fourth Quarter
Slightly lower interest rates and home prices in markets across the country contributed to a slight increase in nationwide housing affordability in the fourth quarter of 2014, according to the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index (HOI). In all, 62.8 percent of new and existing homes sold between the beginning of October and end of December were… Read More ›
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Most Millennial Buyers Want Single-family Home in the Suburbs
After rising for four consecutive years, the average size of new homes declined in 2014. The expectation for 2015 is for this receding trend to continue, as more Millennials enter the housing market and demand smaller, more affordable homes. Strong job growth and new lending rules that will allow for smaller down payments and lower mortgage insurance premiums will help… Read More ›
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Housing Affordability Slightly Lower in Third Quarter
Firming home prices in markets across the country contributed to a slight dip in nationwide housing affordability in the third quarter of 2014, according to the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index (HOI). In all, 61.8 percent of new and existing homes sold between the beginning of July and the end of September were affordable to families… Read More ›
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Remodeling Market Index Reclaims All-Time High
The Remodeling Market Index (RMI) rose one point to 57 in the third quarter of 2014, the sixth consecutive 3-month period the index has been over 50. An RMI above 50 indicates that more remodelers report market activity is higher (compared to the prior quarter) than report it is lower. The overall RMI averages ratings of current remodeling activity with… Read More ›