Multifamily Sentiment Improves in the First Quarter of 2021

By Housing
Confidence in the market for new multifamily housing increased in the first quarter of 2021, according to results from the Multifamily Market Survey (MMS) released today by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).  The MMS produces two major indices: the Multifamily Production Index (MPI) and the Multifamily Occupancy Index (MOI).  The MPI increased eight points to 51 in the… Read More ›

Custom Home Building: 1Q21 Data

By Housing
NAHB’s analysis of Census Data from the Quarterly Starts and Completions by Purpose and Design survey indicates custom home building continues to experience flat conditions amidst strong demand and rising material challenges. There were 36,000 total custom building starts during the first quarter of the year. While this marks a 22% gain from the first quarter of 2020, that comparison is affected… Read More ›

Mortgage Rates Taper Over the Prior Month, Boosting Refinancing

By Housing
Over the last month, the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) tracked 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rate dipped below the elevated levels shown in April, mirroring a similar decline in Treasury yields. For the week ending May 14, the average 30-year fixed rate mortgage was 3.15%. The MBA’s Market Composite Index, reflective of activity in refinancing and purchase mortgages, changed course compared to… Read More ›

Gains for Single-Family Built-for-Rent Ahead?

By Housing
Counter to expectations, the number of single-family homes built-for-rent (SFBFR) construction starts posted a year-over-year decline for the first quarter of 2021. The SFBFR market is a way to add single-family inventory amid concerns over housing affordability and downpayment requirements in the for-sale market, particularly during a period when people want more space and a single-family structure. Single-family built-for-rent construction… Read More ›

HMI: Building Materials Top Housing Concerns

By Housing
Builder confidence held stable in May, despite growing concerns over the price and availability of most building materials, including lumber. The latest National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) shows that builder confidence in the market for newly built single-family homes is 83 in May, unchanged from April. Builder confidence in the market remains strong due… Read More ›