NAHB Now
- NAHB Connect Unveils Major Networking Platform UpdatesTo best meet the needs of NAHB members, NAHB Connect launched three new communities to jumpstart dialogue around the biggest, ever-changing industry topics.
- Building Material Prices Show Growth In JulyResidential building material prices, excluding energy, rose 0.4% in July and were up 5% from a year ago. The year-over-year percentage increase in building materials was the highest since December 2022.
- Housing Starts Retreat on Market HeadwindsOverall housing starts decreased 12.4% in July to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.24 million units, according to a report from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau.
- HUD Releases New HOME and HTF Energy Standards Following NAHB WinFollowing key code victories secured by NAHB earlier this year, HUD has revised the energy standards that HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) Participating Jurisdictions and Housing Trust Fund (HTF) grantees must meet for newly constructed housing.
- Affordability Pressures Keep Builder Confidence LowBuilder confidence in the market for newly built single-family homes inched up one point to 35 in August, according to the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) released today.
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Eye On Housing
- Flat Conditions for Custom Home BuildingWith overall single-family construction down almost 7% for the first seven months of 2026, custom home building has been a relative bright spot for the residential construction industry. The custom building market is less sensitive to the interest rate cycle than other forms of home building but is more sensitive to changes in household wealth […]
- Housing Starts Retreat on Market HeadwindsHousing starts fell in July as economic uncertainty, rising construction costs, labor shortages and elevated financing expenses continued to challenge builders. Overall housing starts decreased 12.4% in July to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.24 million units, according to a report from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. […]
- Cash Purchases of New Homes Fall to Lowest Share Since 2007New home sales rose in the second quarter but were lower than a year ago, according to the U.S. Census Bureau New Residential Sales release. The share of homes purchased with conventional financing remains high, while the share purchased with Federal Housing Administration (FHA) financing rose to its highest level since early 2021. The share […]
- Consumer Credit Slowed in Q2 In the second quarter of 2026, consumer credit growth slowed over the quarter and was lower than a year ago. According to the Federal Reserve’s G.19 Consumer Credit Report, total outstanding U.S. consumer credit reached $5.17 trillion in the second quarter of 2026. This marked a 2.60% increase at a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) from the first quarter. Compared to a year ago, the total outstanding credit amount was 2.43% higher. Nonrevolving Credit  Nonrevolving credit, which is primarily made up of student and auto […]
- Affordability Pressures Keep Builder Confidence LowBuilder sentiment remains muted from economic and geopolitical uncertainty, elevated mortgage rates and rising construction costs. Builder confidence in the market for newly built single-family homes inched up one point to 35 in August, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI). August marked the 16th straight month that […]
