Building materials prices topped the list of problems builders faced in 2020 and is expected to return to the number one spot in 2021, according to special questions on the December 2020 survey for the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index. The survey results showed that building materials was a significant issue for 96% of builders last year. In 2021, however,… Read More ›
Tag Archive for ‘eye on the economy’
Custom Home Building Annual Share
According to data from the Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction (SOC), the custom home share increased to 20.2 percent of all single-family homes started in 2019. Contractor-built or owner-built houses – that together make up the custom home market – are built one at a time for owner occupancy on owner’s land with either the owner or a builder acting… Read More ›
Community Associations in New Homes Started
According to data from the Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction (SOC), 62.0 percent of all homes started in 2019 were built within a community or homeowner’s association. A total of 545,000 homes with community associations were started in 2019, compared to 543,000 in 2018. The Census Bureau defines community or homeowner’s associations as “formal legal entities created to maintain common… Read More ›
Share of 5,000+ Square Foot Homes Down Slightly in 2019
According to the Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction, the share of new homes started with 5,000 square feet or more of living space stood at 2.71 percent in 2019, down slightly from 2.88 percent in 2018. A total of 24,000 5,000+ square-foot homes were started in 2019, compared to 25,000 in 2018. The slight decline in 5,000+ square foot homes… Read More ›
Top Challenges for Builders: Cost/Availability of Labor in 2019 & 2020
Cost and availability of labor topped the list of problems builders faced in 2019, and is expected to return to the number one spot in 2020, according to special questions on the December survey for the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index. The survey results showed that cost and availability of labor were a significant issue for 87% of builders last… Read More ›
Continued Rise in Community Associations in New Homes Built
According to data from the Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction (SOC), 62.5 percent of all homes started in 2018 were built within a community or homeowner’s association. A total of 543,000 homes with community associations were started in 2018, compared to 508,000 in 2017. The Census Bureau defines community or homeowner’s associations as “formal legal entities created to maintain common… Read More ›
Share of 5,000+ Square Foot Homes Down Slightly in 2018
According to the Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction, the share of new homes started with 5,000 square feet or more of living space stood at 2.88 percent in 2018, down slightly from 3.08 percent in 2017. A total of 25,000 5,000+ square-foot homes were started in 2018, compared to 26,000 in 2107. The slight decline in 5,000+ square foot homes… Read More ›
Most Common Siding On New Homes are Vinyl and Stucco in 2018
According to the data from the Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction (SOC) the most common exterior wall materials on homes started in 2018 were vinyl siding and stucco. Vinyl siding and Stucco (26 percent each) were used on new homes started in 2018, brick or brick veneer (21 percent), and fiber cement siding (such as Hardiplank or Hardiboard) (20 percent). Far smaller shares… Read More ›
Top Challenges for Builders: Materials in 2018, Labor in 2019
Building material prices topped the list of problems builders faced in 2018, but cost and availability of labor is expected to return to the number one spot in 2019, according to special questions on the January survey for the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index. The survey results showed that material prices were a significant issue for 87% of builders last… Read More ›
Energy Prices Continue to Fall
The CPI was unchanged in January. The decrease in energy prices in January offset increases in the “core” CPI and the food index. The Consumer Price Index (CPI), reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), was unchanged in January on a seasonally adjusted basis. The CPI remained unchanged for the third consecutive month. Over the past twelve months, on… Read More ›