Welcome to the Athens Area Home Builders Association
The Athens Area Home Builders Association is a non-profit professional trade association made up of member companies, representing residential and light commercial builders, subcontractors, suppliers, and many other service providers to the building industry throughout Athens-Clarke, Elbert, Franklin, Hart, Madison, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Stephens, and Walton Counties. Together we are the foundation for the local home-building industry - building pride in our community through interaction, commitment, professionalism, education, community service, and environmental responsibility.
NAHB Now
- Regulatory Costs Jump 40% in Five Years, Add $131,734 to New Home PricesA new study by NAHB finds that regulations at the federal, state and local levels add $131,734 to the cost of a new single-family home—26.4% of the average sales price of $499,500 as of January 2026.
- 7 Reasons Why Visibility Is Your Most Underrated Competitive Advantage Right NowIn slower markets, the builders who keep showing up often win — not because they're the loudest, but because they never go quiet. Those who have figured out the capital side of the business are more likely to maintain visibility.
- IBS Scholarships Offer Members More Opportunities to Network and LearnMore members are able to experience the numerous benefits of attending the International Builders' Show thanks to the IBS Scholarship Program. Applications are now open for IBS 2027 scholarships, which will provide recipients with a show pass, travel stipend, hotel accommodations and more.
- Watch Livestreams of Key Spring Leadership MeetingsNAHB leadership will gather June 9-13 for the 2026 Spring Leadership Meeting in Washington, D.C. Members and HBA staff not in attendance can view livestreams of key meetings.
- NAHB Completes Fall Prevention Training Pilot Program at 20 HBAs Across U.S.NAHB, the Job-Site Safety Institute (JSI), and the National Housing Endowment (NHE) are proud to announce the successful completion of the Fall Prevention Training Pilot Program.
Upcoming Meetings & Events
New Members
Eye On Housing
- Existing Home Sales Increased in MayExisting home sales rose to a five-month high in May as more first-time buyers stepped back into the market. The share of first-time buyer reached 35% in May, the highest since June 2020. However, sales remained weak compared to historical norms, with still-tight inventory continued to push up home prices. Mortgage rates, though lower than […]
- Mortgage Applications Retreat in May, with ARMs Gaining ShareMortgage application activity declined again in May as higher mortgage rates continued to suppress the market, although adjustable-rate mortgages (ARM) gained some traction. According to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Market Composite Index, a measure of total mortgage application volume, applications fell 5.5% month-over-month in May on a seasonally adjusted basis. The decline was driven […]
- U.S. Labor Market Remains Resilient in MayDespite rising inflation and ongoing economic uncertainty, the U.S. labor market remained resilient in May. Nonfarm payrolls increased for the third consecutive month, and the unemployment rate held steady at 4.3%. Job gains were concentrated in leisure and hospitality, local government, and health care, while financial activities experienced a decline in payroll employment. Wage growth […]
- Mortgage Rates Increase Further as Inflation Remains ElevatedMortgage rates continued to increase in May as inflation accelerated. According to Freddie Mac, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.41% in May, up 7 basis points (bps) over April. Since the conflict in the Middle East began, the 30-year mortgage rate has increased by 36 basis points. The average 15-year rate averaged 5.76% in May, […]
- Highest Paid Occupations in Construction in 2025The median wage of payroll workers in construction was $61,370 in 2025, with the top 25% earning at least $83,480. In comparison, the U.S. median annual wage was $50,980, while workers in the top quartile (the highest paid 25%) earned at least $80,520. These estimates come from the latest release of the Bureau of Labor […]
