Eye On Housing
Author Archives
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Popularity of Building Information Modeling Increases among NAHB Members
More NAHB members are familiar with and are using Building Information Modeling (BIM) for their businesses, a recently conducted NAHB survey shows. BIM is a process for managing the information produced during a construction project, in a common format, from the earliest feasibility stage through design, construction, operation and finally demolition, in order to make the most efficient use of… Read More ›
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Apartment and Condominium Market Posts Positive Gains in the Third Quarter
The Multifamily Production Index (MPI) posted a three point gain to 53 in the third quarter of 2016, according to the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB). 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 components are scaled so that… Read More ›
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55+ Housing Market Has Strong Third Quarter
The 55+ Housing Market strengthened in the third quarter of 2016, according to the National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) 55+ Housing Market Index (55+HMI). The index increased two points to 59 from the previous quarter (Figure 1). This quarter marks the 10th consecutive quarter in which the index has been above the breakeven point of 50, which means that… Read More ›
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Remodeling Market Optimism Strengthens in Third Quarter
The National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) Remodeling Market Index (RMI) increased four points to 57 in the third quarter of 2016. This quarter’s reading marks a return to index levels seen consistently throughout 2015 (Figure 1). For fourteen consecutive quarters the RMI has been above the breakeven point of 50, which indicates more remodelers report market activity is higher… Read More ›
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Bathrooms in 2015 New Homes
In its Survey of Construction (SOC), the US Census Bureau publishes data on the number of bathrooms in new homes started. In the last several years, the share of new single-family homes with 3 or more full bathrooms has increased, which may reflect the move by builders to focus on higher-end, larger homes in the post-recession period. However, recent data indicate that this trend… Read More ›
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Air Conditioning and Heating Systems in New Homes
Air Conditioning Systems The US Census Bureau publishes information on characteristics of new homes started, including air conditioning and heating systems. In 2015, approximately 93 percent of new homes started in the US had central AC. Central AC has been a common feature in new homes for some time, but its share did grow some between 2000 and 2015, going… Read More ›
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Features and Colors of Kitchens in New Homes
What are the features and colors included in kitchens of newly constructed homes? Data from Houzz, combined with information from the 2016 Builder Practices Survey, provides insight. The 2016 Builder Practices Survey (BPS) is a national survey of homebuilders, conducted by Home Innovation Research Labs, that captures valuable information on the product features included in new residential construction, both single-family… Read More ›
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Asking Prices of Apartments and Condominiums in the First Quarter of 2016
The US Census Bureau, along with the US Department of Commerce (DOC) and the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), fund and publish the Survey of Market Absorption (SOMA). The SOMA contains data on recently completed apartments and condominiums, including the asking rent and sale prices of these units. The median asking price of privately financed, unfurnished, nonsubsidized… Read More ›
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Completions of Units in Large, For-Rent Multifamily Buildings Reached High Point in 2015
Each year the US Census Bureau collects data on the number of units completed in multifamily buildings in its Survey of Construction (SOC). In 2015, 304,000 for-rent multifamily units were completed. Eight percent of these completions were in buildings with 9 or fewer units, 30 percent were in buildings with 10 to 29 units, 15 percent were in buildings with… Read More ›
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New Single-Family Homes Started in 2015 Have More Bedrooms
Recently released data from the US Census’ Survey of Construction (SOC) show that 10 percent of single-family homes started in 2015 have 2 or less bedrooms, 43 percent have 3 bedrooms, 36 percent have 4 bedrooms, and 11 percent have 5 or more bedrooms. Three bedroom homes have consistently been the most common type of new single-family home built. However, the… Read More ›