Eye On Housing
Author Archives
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How Pandemic Changed Living Arrangements of Young Adults
NAHB’s analysis of headship rates from the latest 2021 American Community Survey (ACS) reveals that the Covid-19 pandemic unlocked some pent-up housing demand, especially among young adults ages 25 to 34. The pandemic-heightened desire for more spacious and independent living, as well as “excess” savings accumulated early in the lockdown stages of the pandemic, propelled headship rates of young adults… Read More ›
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The Size of the Housing Shortage: 2021 Data
Reflecting the unprecedented housing shortages across the United States in the post-pandemic market, U.S. vacancy rates hit their lowest readings in decades in 2021. According to NAHB’s analysis of the 2021 American Community Survey (ACS), owner vacancy rates dropped below 0.9% and rental vacancy rates reached a new low of 5.2%, the lowest levels recorded by the ACS since the… Read More ›
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Share of Young Adults Living with Parents Declined in 2021
Spurred by elevated savings early in the pandemic and encouraged by lower interest rates, rising numbers of young adults left parental homes in 2021. As a result, the share of young adults ages 25-34 living with parents or parents-in-law declined and now stands at 20.2%, according to NAHB’s analysis of the 2021 American Community Survey (ACS) Public Use Microdata Sample… Read More ›
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Spec Square Foot Prices Skyrocket in 2021
Median square foot prices (excluding record-high improved lot values) for new for-sale single-family detached (SFD) homes started in 2021 increased 19%, according to NAHB’s analysis of the latest Survey of Construction data. Increases for square foot prices in new custom SFD homes were more moderate, averaging 5%. Median sale and contract prices per square foot of floor area went up… Read More ›
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Lot Values Set New Records
Lot values for single-family detached housing starts in 2021 increased across the nation, with the national value and six out of nine Census division values setting new records. U.S. median lot price now stands at $55,000, according to NAHB’s analysis of the Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction (SOC) data. In New England and Pacific, lot values surged 67% and 39%,… Read More ›
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Share of Smaller Lots Record High Amid Pandemic
Despite the pandemic-triggered suburban flight and presumed shifts in preferences towards more spacious living, a rising share of new for-sale homes were built on smaller lots. According to the latest Survey of Construction (SOC), more than two thirds of new single-family detached homes sold in 2021 were built on lots smaller than one-fifth of an acre. This is the highest… Read More ›
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Headship Stabilizes During the Pandemic Housing Boom
Headship rates for all age groups have been trending lower over the last two decades, with important implications for the demand for home building. The latest Current Population Survey (CPS) Annual Social and Economic Supplement (ASEC) data show that the pandemic housing boom brought this trend to a halt, with adults ages 35-64 now registering higher headship rates than they… Read More ›
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What Do Home Buyers Buy after Moving
NAHB analysis of Consumer Expenditure Survey (CES) data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that during the first year after closing on a home sale, home buyers tend to spend considerably more money on furnishings, appliances and remodeling compared to non-moving owners. Buyers of new homes spend most, spending four times as much as non-moving owners and twice as… Read More ›
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How a Home Purchase Boosts Consumer Spending
Using the Consumer Expenditure Survey (CES) data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), NAHB Economics estimates that a home purchase triggers significant spending on appliances, furnishings, and remodeling. NAHB’s most recent estimates are based on the pre-pandemic 2017-2019 data and show that during the first year after closing on the house, a typical buyer of a newly-built single-family detached… Read More ›
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States with Highest and Fastest Rising Construction Wages
As the construction labor market remains tight and skilled labor shortages persist, wages in construction continue to rise, often outpacing and exceeding typical earnings in other industries. According to the latest Current Employment Statistics (CES) report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), average hourly earnings (AHE) in construction vary greatly across 43 states that reported these data. Some of… Read More ›