Author Archives

  • Personal Income Rises 0.2% in December

    By on • (0)

    The most recent data release from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) showed that personal income increased 0.2% in December. The pace of personal income growth slowed after reaching a 0.8% monthly gain in October. Gains in personal income are largely driven by increases in compensation of employees in December. Real disposable income, income remaining after adjusted for taxes and… Read More ›

  • How Many Households Are Priced Out By Higher Mortgage Rates in 2022?

    By on • (2)

    Mortgage rates have increased rapidly in 2022, as the Federal Reserve continues to fight high inflation. The U.S. weekly 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rose from a slightly above 3% in early 2022 to more than 7% in late October and leveled off at a rate of 6.42% as of the end of 2022. Mortgage payments increased from $1,925 on a median… Read More ›

  • November Private Residential Spending Dips

    By on • (0)

    Private residential construction spending declined 0.5% in November, as spending on single-family construction plunged 2.9%. Private residential construction spending fell for the six consecutive month, standing at an annual pace of $868 billion. However, this total remains 5.3% higher compared to a year ago. The monthly decline is largely attributed to lower spending on single-family construction, which has also declined… Read More ›

  • Single-Family Construction Slows in Post-Covid Hot Markets

    By on • (1)

    The most recent Home Building Geography Index (HBGI) shows that single-family home building slowed down its pace in the exurban areas, which experienced strong growth since the pandemic. Both high mortgage rates and supply-chain disruptions have put a damper on the housing market. The growth rate of single-family construction in large metro outlying counties went down to negative 4.4% in… Read More ›

  • October Private Residential Spending Falls

    By on • (0)

    Private residential construction spending declined 0.3% in October, as spending on single-family construction dropped 2.6%. Private residential construction spending fell for the fifth consecutive month, standing at an annual pace of $887.2 billion. This was about 8.6% higher compared to a year ago. The monthly decline is largely attributed to lower spending on single-family construction. Single-family construction spending dropped 2.6%… Read More ›

  • Third Quarter of 2022 Homeownership Rate at 66%

    By on • (0)

    The Census Bureau’s Housing Vacancy Survey (CPS/HVS) reported the U.S. homeownership rate at 66% in the third quarter of 2022, which is statistically unchanged from the last quarter reading (65.8%). It is 0.6 percentage points higher than the rate in the third quarter of 2021. The national rental vacancy rate rose to 6%, while the homeowner vacancy rate inched up… Read More ›

  • September Private Residential Spending Stays Flat

    By on • (0)

    Private residential construction spending was virtually unchanged in September, with spending on single-family construction dropping just 2.6%. The value of September private residential construction put in place was at an annual pace of $918 billion, about 12.7% higher compared to a year ago. The monthly decline is largely attributed to lower spending on single-family construction. Single-family construction spending dropped 2.6%… Read More ›

  • Inflation Brings Savings Rate Down In September

    By on • (0)

    The most recent data release from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) showed that personal income increased 0.4% in September, the eighth consecutive monthly increase of this year. Gains in personal income are largely driven by increases in compensation of employees and personal income on assets. Real disposable income, income remaining after adjusted for taxes and inflation, stayed flat in… Read More ›

  • New Single-Family Homes Foundations in 2021

    By on • (0)

    NAHB analysis of the Survey of Construction (SOC) shows that 67% of all new single-family homes started in 2021 were built on slab foundations, followed by 21% of homes built with a full/partial basement and 11% of homes built with a crawl space. As home building shifts towards the southern divisions, the slab adoption rates are growing larger. The share… Read More ›

  • August Private Residential Spending Falls for Third Straight Month

    By on • (0)

    Private residential construction spending declined 0.9% in August, as single-family construction spending slid amid surging mortgage rates. Private residential construction spending declined for the third consecutive month, standing at an annual pace of $921.9 billion, according to NAHB’s analysis of the Census Construction Spending data. However, this spending category was 12.5% higher year-over-year. The monthly declines are largely attributed to… Read More ›