Eye On Housing
Author Archives
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Custom Home Building Share Improves in 2022
According to data from the Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction (SOC), custom homes share increased to 20.4 percent of all single-family homes started in 2022 from the 17.6 percent recorded in 2021. The custom home market consists of contractor-built and owner-built houses—homes built one at a time for owner occupancy on the owner’s land, with either the owner or a… Read More ›
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Number of 5,000+ Square Foot Homes Down in 2022
According to the annual data from the Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction (SOC), a total of 29,000 5,000+ square-foot homes were started in 2022, down from 33,000 in 2021. In the boom year of 2006, the number of new 5,000+ square foot homes reached a peak of 45,000. In 2007, the number fell to 37,000. In 2008, only 20,000 such homes were… Read More ›
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Stucco and Vinyl were the Most Common Siding Materials on New Homes in 2022
According to the annual data from the Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction (SOC), stucco was the most common principal siding material on new single-family homes started in 2022 (28%), followed by vinyl siding (26%), fiber cement siding (such as Hardiplank or Hardiboard (21%) and, brick or brick veneer (18%). Far smaller shares of single-family homes started last year had wood or wood… Read More ›
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Materials Remain Builders’ Top Challenge, but Inflation and Interest Rates are Threatening
The price and availability of building materials again topped the list of problems builders faced last year, while interest rates (along with general inflation and negative media reports) moved considerably up the list. According to special questions on the January 2023 survey for the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index, building material prices were a significant issue for 96% of builders… Read More ›
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Nearly Two-Thirds of Homes Started in 2021 are in Community Associations
According to data from the Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction (SOC), 65.5 percent of single-family homes started in 2021 were built within a community or homeowner’s association. Since the re-design of the SOC in 2009, this was the second highest percentage for new homes started with an association. The Census Bureau defines community or homeowner’s associations as “formal legal entities… Read More ›
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Custom Home Building Share Declines Slightly
According to data from the Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction (SOC), custom homes accounted for 17.6 percent of new single-family homes started—down slightly from the 17.8 percent recorded in 2020 and the lowest the annual custom home share has been since the 2005 re-design of the SOC. The custom home market consists of contractor-built and owner-built houses—homes built one at… Read More ›
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Percent Share of 5,000+ Square Foot Homes Rises in 2021
According to the annual data from the Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction (SOC), the share of new homes started with 5,000 square feet or more of living space stood at 2.90 percent in 2021, up from 2.50 percent in 2020. A total of 33,000 5,000+ square-foot homes were started in 2021, compared to 25,000 in 2020. The increase in number and share… Read More ›
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Stucco and Vinyl were the Most Common Siding Materials on New Homes in 2021
According to the annual data from the Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction (SOC), stucco was the most common principal siding material on new single-family homes started in 2021 (28 percent), followed by vinyl siding (24 percent), fiber cement siding (such as Hardiplank or Hardiboard (23 percent) and, brick or brick veneer (19 percent). Far smaller shares of single-family homes started last year… Read More ›
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Building Materials Remain Top Challenge for Builders
Much like last year, the price and availability of building materials topped the list of problems builders face. According to special questions on the December 2021 survey for the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index, building material prices were a significant issue for 96% of builders in 2021, and 91% of the builders expect it to continue being a problem in… Read More ›
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Custom Home Building Share Declines
According to data from the Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction (SOC), the custom home share decreased to 17.8 percent of all single-family homes started in 2020—the lowest the annual custom home share has been since the 2005 re-design of the SOC. The custom home market consists of contractor-built and owner-built houses—homes built one at a time for owner occupancy on… Read More ›