The National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) has reported that, after steadily rising for seven consecutive months, builder confidence fell for the first time this year in August. The association points to rising mortgage rates that, according to Freddie Mac, are nearing 7%, along with “stubbornly high” shelter inflation, as having eroded housing affordability and put […]

Mortgage rates were a contributing factor that helped provide “solid” gains in builder confidence for the second consecutive month, said officials for the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB). NAHB views recent improvement as a signal that the housing market may be turning a corner, officials said, even as builders continue to contend with high construction […]

In the most recent edition of the National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) biweekly newsletter, Eye on the Economy, NAHB chief economist Robert Dietz provided a housing industry overview that found weaker demand is causing home prices to fall. Pointing to the recent stabilization in mortgage interest rates and an anticipated tighter monetary policy from […]

The Federal Reserve raised the stakes in the fight to combat rising inflation on Wednesday, hiking interest rates by 0.75% in an effort to douse cold water on historic inflation. Door and window industry executives say the increase is necessary but it is likely to test companies’ resolve. Recording-Breaking Rates The rate hike is the […]

As COVID-19 continues to dampen the U.S. economy, the housing market waved a flag of relief in July, indicating that homebuyers are ready to move again under the stimulus of record-low interest rates. According to Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. (Freddie Mac), the average rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages fell to 2.98% last week. Meanwhile, […]

As a shortage of skilled labor reinforces the need for early development through career and technical education, a Texas-based grassroots program is adding its contributions. Richard Laughlin, president and owner of Laughlin Home and Restoration, started Casa Über Alles, a program that aims to help worker deficits—including in door and window manufacturing and installation. The […]

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) says the bipartisan legislation introduced this week by Sens. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) and Mark Warner (D-Va.) is an important first step in moving the dialogue forward on overhauling the government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and the U.S. housing finance system. The Housing Finance Reform and […]

Economists speaking at the International Builders’ Show in Las Vegas say the housing market will begin to pick up speed in its recovery during 2013, but note that this growth may be met with some opposition. “Nearly every measure of housing market strength—sales, starts, prices, permits and builder confidence—has been trending upward in recent months […]