Tag Archive for ‘lots’

For Builders, Lot Shortage Eases But is Still a Problem

Obtaining lots to build on remains a challenge for many of NAHB’s builders, although the shortages are not quite as widespread as they were in 2021.  Responding to special questions on the May 2023 survey for the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI), 42 percent of single-family builders characterized the supply of lots simply as low, and another 25 percent said… Read More ›

Lots Harder to Obtain than Ever

Home building, like other U.S. industries, has been dealing with the supply side challenges of labor and material shortages.  Unlike other industries, however, home builders confront an additional challenge in obtaining lots on which to build.   In a recent NAHB survey, 76 percent of builders reported that the overall supply of developed lots in their areas was low to very… Read More ›

Shortage of Lots Now Worse Than Ever

NAHB’s measure of lot shortages hit a new record in May. In answer to special questions on the survey for the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index, 64 percent of builders reported that the supply of lots in their markets was low or very low—up from 62 percent last year and the highest the lot shortage percentage has been since NAHB began collecting the… Read More ›

Lot Shortage: A Lingering Problem for Builders

In a May 2015 survey conducted by NAHB, 62 percent of builders reported that the overall supply of developed lots in their areas was low to very low, up 2 percent from May 2014, but up from 43 percent in September 2012.  Sixty-two percent is the largest low supply percentage recorded since NAHB began periodically asking the question in 1997 on… Read More ›

How Many Homes Fit on a Football Field?

Given that single-family homes have been generally getting larger, it may be tempting to assume that the lots they’re sitting on are getting larger as well. However, according to the Census Bureau’s Characteristics of New Single-Family Houses Sold, the opposite is closer to the truth.  The median lot size of a new single-family detached home sold was an even 10,000 square feet from… Read More ›

Lot Shortage Still a Problem for Builders

In a 2014 survey conducted by NAHB, 59 percent of builders reported that the overall supply of developed lots in their areas was low to very low, unchanged from August 2013, but up from 43 percent in September 2012.  Fifty-nine percent is the largest low supply percentage since NAHB began periodically asking the question in 1997 on its monthly survey… Read More ›

Shortage of Lots Slows Housing Recovery

A shortage of buildable lots, especially in the most desirable locations, has emerged as a key factor holding back a more robust housing recovery, according to the latest survey on the topic conducted by NAHB. Responding to special questions on the survey for the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index in August, 59 percent of builders reported that the supply of lots in their markets was low… Read More ›