The total market share of non-site built single-family homes (modular and panelized) was at 2% of single-family completions in 2021, according to Census Bureau Survey of Construction data and NAHB analysis. This share has been steadily declining since early-2000s despite the high-level of interest for non-site built construction. In 2021, there were 24,000 total single-family units built using modular (10,000)… Read More ›

Despite the pandemic-triggered suburban flight and presumed shifts in preferences towards more spacious living, a rising share of new for-sale homes were built on smaller lots. According to the latest Survey of Construction (SOC), more than two thirds of new single-family detached homes sold in 2021 were built on lots smaller than one-fifth of an acre. This is the highest… Read More ›

The most recent Home Building Geography Index (HBGI) shows that home building activities have shifted to low-density and low-cost markets since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The market share for single-family constructions in large metro core and inner suburbs has declined from 44.5% to 41.6% from the 4th quarter of 2019 (pre-COVID), to the 2nd quarter of 2022. Housing… Read More ›

Job growth remained solid in August, with 315,000 net job growth. However, the unemployment rate rose 0.2 percentage points to 3.7% in August, as the labor market participation rate expanded.  “Softer labor market conditions” are expected in the near future as the Fed raises interest rates aggressively into 2023 to bring inflation lower. The headline job number of today’s labor… Read More ›

Private residential construction spending declined further in July, as rising mortgage rates and elevated construction costs put a damper on the market. It fell 1.5% in July, down for the second straight month, according to NAHB’s analysis of the Census Construction Spending data. Private residential construction spending was 14.1% higher year-over-year. The monthly declines are largely attributed to lower spending… Read More ›

Non-real estate consumer credit grew at a seasonal adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of 8.7% in the second quarter of 2022 according to the Federal Reserve’s latest G.19 Consumer Credit report. Revolving debt climbed 14.6% (SAAR), double the increase in nonrevolving debt (+6.9%). Total consumer credit currently stands at $4.6 trillion, with $1.1 trillion in revolving debt and $3.5 trillion in… Read More ›