Eye On Housing
Author Archives
-
Vinyl is the Most Widely Used Exterior for New Homes
According to data from the Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction (SOC) and NAHB analysis, vinyl (including vinyl-covered aluminum) was the most common exterior wall material used in homes started in 2014 (29 percent), followed by stucco and brick or brick veneer (23 percent each), and fiber cement siding (such as Hardiplank or Hardiboard) (18 percent). The principal exterior wall material… Read More ›
-
Lots for New Single-Family Homes Largest in New England
According to data from the Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction (SOC), the median size of lots on single-family homes built for sale that were started in 2014 was more than half an acre (0.80 acres) in the New England Census Division (Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, and Connecticut). This is significantly larger than the median lot size on… Read More ›
-
Slight Growth for Market Share of 5,000+ Square Foot Homes in 2014
New homes with 5,000 square feet or more of living space posted a small increase in market share last year, according to the Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction. In 2014, the share of new homes this size reached a post-recession peak of 3.75% of new homes started. The total number of 5,000+ square-foot homes started that year was 24,000 units…. Read More ›
-
Lot Shortage: A Lingering Problem for Builders
In a May 2015 survey conducted by NAHB, 62 percent of builders reported that the overall supply of developed lots in their areas was low to very low, up 2 percent from May 2014, but up from 43 percent in September 2012. Sixty-two percent is the largest low supply percentage recorded since NAHB began periodically asking the question in 1997 on… Read More ›
-
Vinyl is the Most Widely Used Siding On New Homes Started
According to data from the Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction (SOC), vinyl (including vinyl-covered aluminum) was the most common exterior wall material used in homes started in 2013 (31 percent), followed by brick or brick veneer (24 percent), stucco (22 percent), and fiber cement siding (such as Hardiplank or Hardiboard) (17 percent). Far smaller shares of single-family homes started last… Read More ›
-
5,000+ Square Foot Homes: 3+ Percent of Starts
Previous posts have discussed the upward trend in the median and average size of new single-family homes and how part of this is likely due to a historically atypical mix of buyers in the market. A question not addressed so far in these posts is whether this trend is evident at the top end of the market. The answer is… Read More ›
-
Lot Shortage Still a Problem for Builders
In a 2014 survey conducted by NAHB, 59 percent of builders reported that the overall supply of developed lots in their areas was low to very low, unchanged from August 2013, but up from 43 percent in September 2012. Fifty-nine percent is the largest low supply percentage since NAHB began periodically asking the question in 1997 on its monthly survey… Read More ›
-
Survey Indicates Growing Concern Over Builder Costs
In the latest monthly NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index the special questions asked builders about the problems they faced in 2013 and expect to face in 2014. In January 2014 survey, out of 5 different sections with significant problems faced by the builders, one of the sections relates to building costs. Similar questions were asked about problems faced in earlier years, so… Read More ›
-
Lots for New Homes Largest in New England
According to data from the Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction (SOC), the median size of lots on single-family homes started in 2012 was three quarters of an acre in the New England Census Division (Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, and Connecticut). This is significantly larger than the median lot size on homes started in the other eight Divisions…. Read More ›
-
Vinyl is the Most Common Siding On New Homes
The most common exterior wall material was vinyl on homes started in 2012. Vinyl siding was used on 32 percent of the new homes started in 2012, followed by brick for 25 percent of homes. Stucco was the principal exterior wall material for at least 20 percent of the homes started according to the data from the Census Bureau’s Survey… Read More ›