Obstacles facing home builders have caught up with high builder confidence according to the National Association of Home Builders Housing Market Index for November. Builder confidence dropped eight points to an index reading of 60, which was the largest month-to-month drop in builder confidence since 2014. November's decline in builder confidence was greater than the largest month-to-month decline during the housing crisis. Housing Market Index readings over 50 are considered positive, but analysts said that long-standing headwinds caught up with home builders' outlook on housing market … [Read more...]
NAHB: Builder Confidence in Housing Market Ticks Up in October
Home builder confidence in national housing market conditions rose one index point for a reading of 68 in October. Readings over 50 indicate that most builders are confident about market conditions. Rolling three-month averages showed mixed results. The Northeastern region gained three points for an index reading of 57; the Midwestern region lost two index points with a reading of 57 and the Southern region posted a gain of one point with a reading of 70. The Western region held steady at 74. Readings for sub-categories of the Housing Market index showed a one-point gain to 74 for current … [Read more...]
NAHB Housing Market Index Unchanged in September
Home builder confidence in housing market conditions stayed flat in September. The National Association of Home Builders Housing Market Index reported an index reading of 67, which matched expectations and NAHB's housing market reading for August. Analysts cited recent tariffs on building materials as a significant cause of easing builder confidence. While NAHB called September's reading "solid" at 67, the reading was one full point lower than the average reading for 2017 and equaled the lowest builder confidence reading in 2018 to date. Readings over 50 in the Housing Market Index indicate … [Read more...]
What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – May 21st, 2018
Last week's economic releases included the National Association of Home Builders Housing Market Index for May, Commerce Department reports on housing starts and building permits issued. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and first-time jobless claims were also released. Home Builder Confidence Rises in May According to the National Association of Home Builders, home builders surveyed indicated higher confidence in housing market conditions for May. April's reading was downwardly revised to an index reading of 68; analysts expected a reading of 69. May's home builder confidence reading was … [Read more...]
New Home Sales Reach Multi-Year High
The market for newly-built homes remains strong. As reported by the U.S. Department of Commerce, 372,000 new homes were sold in July on a seasonally-adjusted, annualized basis. A "new home" is a home that can be considered new construction. July's New Home Sales report highlights what today's buyers of new construction and the nation's home builders have witnessed for themselves already -- that the market for newly-built homes is improving in Phoenix and nationwide. The number of new homes sold in July on a seasonally-adjusted, annualized basis matches the tally from May 2012, and is … [Read more...]
