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
Category Archives: Insulation Contractor Corner
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
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
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
Mortgage applications were on the rise last week even as interest rates continued to climb upward, the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) reports in its weekly mortgage application survey. Loan requests for home purchases, viewed as a leading indicator of future home … Continue reading
The multifamily sector has led the way in the recovery of the overall housing market and will continue to do so over the next several years, said panelists during a press conference at the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) … Continue reading
Over the years, we have had many insulation contractors, builders and architects ask us how they can achieve a one hour fire rated wall using cellulose insulation. The simple answer: Check the International Building Code! The International Building Code includes … Continue reading
The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 retroactively renewed this tax credit effective January 2012, expiring again on December 31, 2013. Any qualified equipment or energy-efficient improvements installed in 2012 or 2013 is eligible for this credit. As in previous … Continue reading