Tag Archive for Housing Market Index

Home Builders Expect Spring Sales Bump

April 16, 2014 Housing Market Comments Off on Home Builders Expect Spring Sales Bump

Builders have an unique perspective on the housing market, demand, and where home sales are headed. And, according to the National Association of Home Builders Housing Market Index, builders’ confidence in the market for newly built, single-family homes is rising. In fact, the most recent reading shows the index up one point to 47 in April from March. The index – which measures confidence on a scale where any number above 50 indicates more builders view conditions as good than poor – found that, though builders’ perception of current conditions and buyer traffic was unchanged from the month before, their expectations for future sales rose four points to 57. Kevin Kelly, NAHB’s chairman, said builder confidence has been in a holding pattern the past three months but, as the spring home buying season gets into full swing and demand increases, builders are expecting sales prospects to improve. Also, all four regions of the country are down, according to the index’s three month moving averages. The West and Midwest show the largest decreases, though both remain near 50. The South and Northeast, on the other hand, both slipped two points, falling to 33 and 47, respectively. More here.

Builder Confidence Edges Up In March

March 18, 2014 Housing Market Comments Off on Builder Confidence Edges Up In March

The National Association of Home Builders Housing Market Index measures builder confidence in the market for newly-built, single-family homes. The index gauges builders’ perceptions of current sales, buyer traffic, and expectations for the next six month on a scale where any number above 50 indicates more builders view the market as good than poor. In March, the index rose a point to 47 after a 10-point drop in February resulted in the first monthly reading below 50 since May of last year. Kevin Kelly, NAHB’s chairman, said the March reading mirrors last month’s sentiment, as builders continue to be affected by poor weather and difficulty finding available lots and labor. The results of the index’s individual components show increasing optimism about current conditions and traffic but concerns over future sales. Still, despite falling, the component tracking sales expectations over the next six months remains in positive territory with a reading of 53. Regionally, three-month moving averages for the Northeast, Midwest, South, and West all declined in March. More here.

Builder Confidence Levels Off In January

January 17, 2014 Housing Market Comments Off on Builder Confidence Levels Off In January

After an unexpected spike in December, builder confidence in the market for newly-built, single-family homes fell a point to 56 in January, according to the National Association of Home Builders Housing Market Index. The index – derived from a monthly survey conducted for the past 25 years – scores builders’ perception of the current market on a scale where any number above 50 indicates more builders view conditions as good than poor. Rick Judson, NAHB’s chairman, said January’s results show that confidence is holding at a solid level. According to Judson, the fact that many markets are showing improvement bodes well for future sales of new homes. Still, all three index components suffered declines in January. The index gauging current sales fell one point to 62, while future sales dropped two and buyer traffic slipped three points. Regionally, the three-month moving averages found the Northeast and West both up four points. The South was unchanged at 56 and the Midwest fell a point to 58. NAHB chief economist David Crowe believes rising home prices, historically low mortgage rates, and significant pent-up demand will continue driving the recovery in the year ahead. More here.

New Home Market Strong Among Buyers Over 55

November 12, 2013 Housing Market Comments Off on New Home Market Strong Among Buyers Over 55

A recent survey of builders shows increasing confidence in the market for new homes among buyers over the age of 55. According to the National Association of Home Builders’ latest 55+ Housing Market Index, significant gains were made in the third quarter as compared to the third quarter of last year. The index found confidence in the market for single-family homes, rose 14 points to its highest third-quarter number since the survey began in 2008. It also represents the eighth straight quarter of year-over-year increases. Robert Karen, chairman of NAHB’s 50+ Housing Council, said there has been steady improvement in the 55+ housing sector as buyers are attracted to new homes and communities that offer the lifestyle they desire. All components of the survey gauging interest in single-family homes experienced double-digit increases over last year. The survey asks builders to rate current sales, expected sales, and traffic of prospective buyers on a scale where any number over 50 indicates more builders view market conditions as good than poor. More here.