Recent housing market data have illustrated that while the long-run trend for housing remains one of improvement, there will be bumps along the way. In particular, availability of building lots and skilled labor, rising building material prices, and big picture … Continue reading
Yearly Archives: 2013
Growing labor shortages in all facets of the residential construction sector are impeding the housing recovery, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). “They survey of our members shows that since June 2012, residential construction firms are reporting … Continue reading
April is new homes month. And one of the virtues of a newly constructed home is the savings that come with reduced energy and maintenance expenses. For example, for routine maintenance expenses, 26% of all homeowners spend $100 or more … Continue reading
With tight mortgage lending standards preventing well-qualified home buyers from obtaining home loans and impeding the housing and economic recovery, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) expressed support for congressional efforts to reform the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) but … Continue reading
A new report by the UNC Center for Community Capital and Institute for Market Transformation shows the risk of mortgage default is one-third lower for energy-efficient, ENERGY STAR-rated homes-a factor lenders and Congress should consider when making mortgage loans and … Continue reading
Nationwide housing production edged up 0.8 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 917,000 units in February, according to newly released figures from HUD and the U.S. Census Bureau. This slight upward movement represented gains in both the single-family … Continue reading
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently updated its Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims. The “Green Guide” outlines the guidelines and requirements for companies and marketers making claims about their products’ environmental benefits. This update by the FTC … Continue reading
Price and proximity to work are key concerns for first-time home buyers, while trade-up buyers tend to be most focused on the design of the home and neighborhood. More than 90 percent of the sales reported in 2011 were existing … Continue reading
The housing downturn of the last few years affected not only the number of new homes that are built each year, but also the characteristics, features and size of the ones that do get built. Builders and other industry professionals … Continue reading
The monthly NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index often includes a set of “special” questions on a topic of current interest to the housing industry. In January 2013, the special questions asked builders about the problems they faced in 2012 and … Continue reading