Welcome to today’s roundup of the latest developments in the real estate sector. From the nuanced insights of the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index, which offers a monthly snapshot of builder confidence and market trends, to essential updates on new residential construction and the intricacies of construction loans, our coverage provides you with a comprehensive view of the housing landscape. Whether you’re interested in the economic factors influencing the market, or the strategies companies are adopting to thrive in fluctuating conditions, stay informed with our detailed reports and expert analyses. Dive deeper into each topic by following our links to learn more about what’s shaping the homes and communities of tomorrow.
NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) | NAHB
The NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) is designed to gauge and track the pulse of the single-family housing market. The HMI is based on a monthly survey of single-family builders who are asked to rate three specific conditions of the housing market:
- Present sales of new single-family homes
- Expected sales of single-family homes for the next six months
- Traffic of prospective buyers of new single-family homes
Each month, the HMI depicts overall builder sentiment toward housing market conditions on a scale ranging between 0 and 100. A higher reading (>50) is an indication that the majority of builders feel confident about the current and near-term outlook for housing. Lower readings signify less optimism among builders.
The HMI is a weighted average of the three components included in the monthly builder survey. The panel of builders rates the first two components on a scale of “good,” “fair” or “poor,” and the last component on a scale of “high to very high,” “average,” or “low to very low.” An index is calculated for each component using specific formulas. Each index created this way has several desirable properties that make it relatively easy to interpret.
Interest rates, employment rates, material costs, and inflationary pressures are factors that can impact the Housing Market Index. History shows that the HMI has consistently reflected — and even predicted — periods of booms and busts in housing markets.
New Residential Construction Press Release
For the latest information on new residential construction, including data inquiries and media inquiries, please contact the Economic Indicators Division and the Public Information Office. Stay updated with email updates for related information.
What Are Construction Loans And How Do They Work? | Bankrate
If you’re considering building a house instead of buying an existing property, you’ll need to understand construction loans. Unlike traditional mortgages, construction loans fund the building of a residential home from start to finish. There are different types of construction loans, including standalone construction loans and construction-to-permanent loans. These loans cover the costs associated with construction, such as contractor fees and permits, and can also be used to purchase the land. Construction loans have a short-term repayment timeline and require detailed plans and a realistic budget. They often have variable interest rates and may be more expensive than traditional mortgages. To learn more about construction loans and how they work, read the full article.
Home Building Stocks Profit from Any Housing Market
The housing market is experiencing a shortage of new homes being built, largely due to high mortgage rates. Construction of new homes fell to the lowest level in four years, and permits for future home building also declined. This shortage can be attributed to under-building over the years, increased demand for homes after the pandemic, and a lack of affordable housing. However, home builders like Lennar and KB Home have been benefiting from the tight housing market, reporting solid earnings that exceeded expectations. While the housing market remains tight, home builders are preparing for an eventual surge in demand when interest rates decrease. To learn more about the impact of high interest rates on the housing market and the profitability of home builders, read the full article.