The NAHB/Royal Building Products Remodeling Market Index (RMI) increased for the second quarter, posting a reading of 87, up 14 points from the second quarter of 2020. The increase in the index is a sign of improving remodelers’ confidence in their markets, for projects of all sizes. The RMI is an average of two major component indices: the Current Conditions… Read More ›
NAHB analysis of the 2020 Census Bureau Survey of Construction (SOC) data shows that, nationwide, the share of non-conventional financing for new home sales accounted for 34.4% of the market, while conventional financing dominated the market at 65.6%. In 2019, share of non-conventional financing was 35.0% of the market while conventional financing accounted for 65.0% of the market share. Non-conventional… Read More ›
Framing lumber prices garnered more attention than any other building material over the past year as prices quadrupled between April 2020 and May 2021. But even as lumber prices decline, the spotlight on lumber continues to crowd out the story of meteoric price increases of another wood product integral to the integrity of a building’s structure—oriented strand board (OSB). The… Read More ›
With builders grappling with record-high lumber prices and supply shortages over the past year, why are so few willing to switch away from traditional wood framing methods? A June 2021 survey for the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) reveals several reasons, but one stands out above the rest.
New NAHB research shows that despite declining self-employment rates and the rising top builder market share, residential construction remains the industry of independent entrepreneurs with close to 80% of homebuilders and specialty trade contractor firms being self-employed independent contractors. Even among firms with paid employees, the industry continues to be dominated by small businesses, with 63% of homebuilders and two… Read More ›
