Square Foot Prices Up in 2020

By Housing
Median square foot prices in new custom single-family detached (SFD) homes started in 2020 increased 8%, according to NAHB’s analysis of the latest Survey of Construction data. Increases in square foot prices in new for-sale SFD homes (excluding skyrocketing improved lot values) averaged 4%. Median sale and contract prices per square foot went up across all US regions, except for… Read More ›

EPA Declares Pre-2015 WOTUS Rule Now in Effect

By Industry News
Following the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona’s ruling on Monday to remand and vacate the Navigable Waters Protection Rule (NWPR), which defines the “waters of the U.S. (WOTUS),” the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers stated that “the agencies have halted implementation of the Navigable Waters Protection Rule and are interpreting ‘waters of the United States’ consistent with the pre-2015 regulatory regime until further notice.”

FEMA Moves Closer to Risk Rating 2.0 Transition

By Industry News
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on Sept. 1 released several documents, including final guidance, for the upcoming transition to its new risk rating methodology. The guidance outlines how the agency will apply the new rating factors and credit options when determining insurance premiums for policies issued under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

Award-Winning Spec Home Leverages Benefits of Building Healthy Homes

By Industry News
The rise in building material prices, shortages in labor and rise in home sales prices are leading some builders to pivot from pre-sales and/or custom builds to a speculative building business model. Maximizing interest and managing build costs are critical to successfully building and selling spec homes. Here’s how one builder did it.

Job Gains Slow in August Amid Delta Variant Surge

By Housing
Total payroll employment rose by 235,000 in August, marking a significant slowdown from the previous month. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate dropped to 5.2% in August, the lowest point during the pandemic. In August, residential construction employment rose by 17,400, while non-residential construction lost 20,300 positions, reflecting declines in builders (-2,800), nonresidential specialty trade contractors (-9,200) and heavy and civil engineering… Read More ›