Eye On Housing
Total nonfarm employment, seasonally adjusted (SA) increased by 2.6 million jobs, year-over-year (YoY), or 1.8% from April 2018 to April 2019. During this time, total nonfarm employment in the Western region increased by 2.0%. The South, Northeast, and Midwest recorded gains at 1.7%, 1.2% and 1.0% respectively, during this time. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nonfarm payroll employment… Read More ›
NAHB’s analysis of Census Data from the Quarterly Starts and Completions by Purpose and Design survey indicates custom home building was effectively flat over recent quarters. There were 29,000 total custom starts for the first quarter of 2019. This was down slightly compared to the first quarter of 2018 (31,000). Over the last four quarters, custom housing starts totaled 170,000. This was… Read More ›
Last week’s post covered general issues related to Aging-In-Place (such as how many professional remodelers do it, and how many of their customers are receptive to it), using data from NAHB’s Remodeling Market Index (RMI) survey for the 4th quarter of 2018. This post covers some of the more detailed questions from the same survey, including specific types of Aging-in-Place projects undertaken… Read More ›
According to NAHB analysis of the most recent Census data of Starts and Completions by Purpose and Design, townhouse construction slowed during the first quarter of 2019 after a strong 2018 performance. Nonetheless, townhouse construction is set for further expansion given the demographics of renters entering the for-sale market, as well as ongoing land constraints and the growth of demand for… Read More ›
According to estimates from the U.S. Housing and Urban Development and Commerce Department, single-family and multifamily starts improved in April, consistent with the recent stabilization of the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI). Single-family starts increased 6.2% to an 854,000 seasonally adjusted annual pace in April. Total multifamily starts increased 4.7% to a 381,000 annualized rate. On a year-to-date basis,… Read More ›
Builder confidence in the market for newly-built single-family homes rose three points to 66 in May, according to the latest National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI). Builder sentiment is at its highest level since October 2018 after declines in late 2018 due to higher interest rates and concerns over slower growth. Builders are catching up after… Read More ›
According to NAHB’s Remodeling Market Index (RMI) survey for the 4th quarter of 2018, over three-fourths of professional remodelers undertake projects designed to allow home owners to Age-in-Place. Their customers are generally familiar with the Aging-in-Place concept, and at least somewhat receptive to it. However, in practice remodelers continue to perform Aging-in-Place work mostly for customers age 55 or older,… Read More ›
Data from the BLS Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) indicate that construction job openings increased in March, consistent with the ongoing challenge of the availability of labor for builders. The estimated number of job openings in the construction sector increased to 360,000, a post-Great Recession high. Moreover, this marks a significant gain over the 234,000 openings estimated in March… Read More ›
Real gross domestic product (GDP) increased in 49 states and the District of Columbia and declined in Alaska in 2018 compared to 2017, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. In 2017, 47 states and the District of Columbia recorded growth in GDP while three states (Kansas, Louisiana, and Connecticut) recorded a decline in GDP. As a result, nationwide growth… Read More ›
At the conclusion of its May meeting, the Federal Reserve held the key, short-term federal funds rate steady, with a top rate of 2.5%. The decision was unanimous and widely expected, with members of the Federal Open Market Committee agreeing that while economic growth conditions remain “solid,” inflation pressures remain anchored. In fact, the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge, the core… Read More ›