According to the latest Producer Price Index report, the price level of inputs to residential construction less energy (i.e., building materials) was unchanged in June 2023 (not seasonally adjusted). March 2023 was the last month prices increased. The index has gained 0.5%, year-to-date, and has not increased 1% or greater in any month since March 2022. The Producer Price Index… Read More ›
The NAHB/Westlake Royal Remodeling Market Index (RMI) for the second quarter of 2023 posted a reading of 68, edging down 2 points from the first quarter of 2023. Even though the Fed has maintained a hawkish position when it comes to interest rates as inflation continues to moderate since it is still above their 2 percent target, the demand for… Read More ›
Per the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) survey through the week ending July 7th, total mortgage activity increased 0.9% from the previous week and the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) rate rose 22 basis points to 7.07%. The FRM rate has risen 30 basis points over the past month and topped 7% for the first time since November of 2022. The… Read More ›
Data obtained from the US Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction (SOC) and tabulated by NAHB, show that the rising trend of two or more stories homes continued in 2022. Although the overall share remained virtually unchanged, the share of two or more stories homes started construction was greater than one story homes in 2022. Nationwide, the share of new homes… Read More ›
Real gross domestic product (GDP) increased in all 50 states and the District of Columbia in the first quarter of 2023. According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the percent change in real GDP increased ranged from 12.4 percent in North Dakota to 0.1 percent in Alabama and Rhode Island. Nationwide, growth in real GDP, measured on a seasonally… Read More ›
The count of open, unfilled jobs for the overall economy moved lower in May, falling to 9.8 million. While ongoing tight labor market conditions have likely confirmed one to two more Fed rate hikes through the start of the Fall, the JOLTS survey is another data point indicating an ongoing but gradual cooling of macro conditions. The count of open… Read More ›