Eye On Housing
Author Archives
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Builder Confidence in the 55+ Housing Market Strengthens in Second Quarter
The National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) single-family 55+ housing market index (55+ HMI) posted a reading of 66 in the second quarter of 2017, up 11 points from the previous quarter. This is the 13th consecutive quarter with a reading above 50, which means that more builders view conditions as good than poor (Figure 1). There are two… Read More ›
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Remodeling Market Indicator Remains in Positive Territory
The Remodeling Market Index (RMI) dropped 3 points to 55 in the second quarter of 2017, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). Although the RMI posted a decrease, it has been at or above 50 for 17 consecutive quarters. A reading above 50 indicates that more remodelers report market activity is higher (compared to the prior quarter)… Read More ›
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Apartment and Condominium Absorption Rates Drop
According to the most recent release of the Survey of Market Absorption (SOMA), produced by the US Census Bureau in collaboration with the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, completions of nonsubsidized, unfurnished, rental apartments in buildings with 5 or more units totaled to 73,300 in the fourth quarter of 2016, about 9 percent higher than completions in the… Read More ›
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Who Are NAHB’s Associate Members?
Every year since 2008, the NAHB has conducted a member census in order to better understand the composition and characteristics of the people who belong to its organization. In 2016, 68 percent of NAHB’s members were associate members—those indirectly involved in home building. The remaining 32 percent were builder members—those directly involved in home building. Last month we gave readers… Read More ›
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Multifamily Developer Confidence Dips in First Quarter as Market Levels Off
The Multifamily Production Index (MPI) dropped seven points to 48 in the first quarter of 2017, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). The last time the MPI had a reading below 50 was in the fourth quarter of 2011 (Figure 1). Figure 1: NAHB Multifamily Production Index (MPI) and Multifamily Starts (in thousands) The MPI measures builder… Read More ›
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Who Are NAHB’s Builder Members?
Every year the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) conducts a member census in order to better understand the composition and characteristics of the people who belong to its organization. In 2016, 32 percent of NAHB’s members were builders—those directly involved in home building. The remaining 68 percent were associate members—those involved in support industries and professions, such as trade… Read More ›
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55+ Housing Market Index Remains in Positive Territory Despite Drop
The National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) single-family 55+ Housing Market Index (55+ HMI) dropped 12 points to 55 in the first quarter of 2017, after an unusually high index reading of 67 in the fourth quarter of 2016. Despite the drop, the 55+ HMI still remains above 50, which means that more builders view conditions as good than poor… Read More ›
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Increase in Remodeling Market Index Reflects Broad-Based Confidence
The National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) Remodeling Market Index (RMI) posted a reading of 58 in the first quarter of 2017, up five points from the previous quarter. This reading is the highest since the fourth quarter of 2015 (Figure 1). A RMI above 50 indicates that more remodelers report market activity is higher (compared to the prior quarter)… Read More ›
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Homeownership: A County-Level Analysis
Homeownership is a key housing and economic measure of social conditions. Due to the housing downturn, the national homeownership rate declined precipitously, and has failed to recover to its historical norm. In fact, the homeownership rate reached a 50 year low in the second quarter of 2016 and has only edged up slightly since then, rising to 63.5% at the… Read More ›
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Rental Apartment Absorption Flat While Condominium Absorption Jumps
The US Census Bureau, in collaboration with the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, releases data on completions and absorption rates for multifamily buildings with at least 5 apartments. The most recent release shows that completions of nonsubsidized, unfurnished, rental apartments amounted to 73,800 in the third quarter of 2016. This is 11,700 more than the second quarter of 2016, but… Read More ›