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  • Landmark housing law urges for zoning guidelines

    Landmark housing law urges for zoning guidelines

    The newly enacted 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act directs the Department of Housing and Urban Development to develop voluntary federal guidelines for state and local zoning best practices. Such guidelines will help shape how communities are evaluated for federal grants and give states a model for developing their own enabling legislation.

    According to the National Association of Home Builders, providing these guidelines will address many state and local zoning rules that restrict home building and raise costs. By creating land-use and zoning guidelines with input from a national task force of planning, housing, transit, academic and building experts, this landmark housing law aims to remove regulatory barriers and increase housing production across all income levels.

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  • Builder confidence edges higher in August

    Builder confidence edges higher in August

    According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) released on Aug. 17, 2026, builder confidence in the market for newly built single-family homes inched up one point to 35 in August.

    “While builder sentiment edged higher in August, builders continue to contend with high construction costs and broader economic uncertainty,” said NAHB Chairman Bill Owens, a home builder and remodeler from Worthington, Ohio. “However, the Midwest remains a bright spot for the home building industry, with new home sales up in that region more than 2% so far in 2026.”

    “Custom home builders continue to report stronger market conditions than spec builders, reflecting better conditions at the higher end of the market,” said NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz. “Smaller, less dense markets are also outperforming larger metropolitan areas, and smaller builders report relatively stronger conditions than larger builders.”

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  • July building permits 5% above June estimate

    July building permits 5% above June estimate

    The United States Census Bureau released the Monthly New Residential Construction for July 2026. Privately owned housing units authorized by building permits in July were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,443,000, 5% above the revised June rate of 1,374,000 and 3.1% above the July 2025 rate of 1,400,000.

    Privately owned housing starts were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,239,000, 12.4% below the revised June estimate of 1,415,000 and 13.5% below the July 2025 rate of 1,432,000. Single-family housing starts in July were at a rate of 808,000.

    Privately owned housing completions were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,212,000, 9.1 percent% below the revised June estimate of 1,333,000 and 16.8% below the July 2025 rate of 1,456,000.

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Housing Economy >

  • California scores most expensive mid-year home sale

    California scores most expensive mid-year home sale

    The most expensive U.S. home sale of July came from a Bel Air estate in California, known as Casa Encantada. The luxury home sold for $130 million, making it the second-most expensive home sale of 2026 so far.

    The other three top sales also came from Southern California: a beachfront Malibu mansion, an architectural gem in Orange County and a Beverly Hills compound. The most expensive mid-summer sales also include two townhouses in Manhattan, New York, and three oceanfront Florida estates.

    All 10 of July’s most expensive homes sold for at least $40 million.

    Luxury and custom homes continue to provide light in the midst of a struggling housing market.

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  • Rising home prices impact summer sales

    Rising home prices impact summer sales

    Due to higher mortgage rates and home prices, summer home sales have been more moderate this year. Home sales, including single-family homes, townhomes, condos and co-ops, fell 1.7% in July 2026 compared to June. However, sales reached a 0.7% increase compared to a year ago. Lawrence Yun, the National Association of REALTORS’ (NAR) chief economist, said that the year is still showing signs of improvement.

    “Home sales have been remarkably stable, even amid the rising mortgage rate environment of the past few months,” said Yun.

    NAR recently reported that 80% of about 235 major metro areas it tracked continued to see home prices rise in the second quarter. Some metros even reported double-digit annual price increases of about 10%.

    “Sellers are making more price adjustments as summer progresses, and buyers are responding more selectively, but homes are still going under contract at a faster pace than last year,” said Danielle Hale, Realtor.com’s chief economist. “The key question for the months ahead is whether price reductions help sustain buyer engagement or signal that sellers are getting ahead of softer demand.”

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  • Mortgage demand moderates in July

    Mortgage demand moderates in July

    Recent analysis from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) of the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Market Composite Index shows that mortgage applications fell across all sectors in July.

    Compared to June, applications decreased 6.6% and dropped 1.5% year-over-year, the first decline in two years.

    With current 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rates at 6.69%, these dips in applications are largely attributed to growing economic pressures on consumers and geopolitical uncertainty with the war in Iran.

    In July, the average loan price also fell across all categories.

    “The overall loan size decreased 2.5% to $383,600,”  wrote NAHB Forecasting and Analysis economist Catherine Koh. “The average purchase loan size fell 2.6% to $444,600, while the average refinance loan size declined 2.2% to $296,000.”

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Industry Developments >

  • KBIS 2027 Calls for Presenters

    KBIS 2027 Calls for Presenters

    The Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) is now accepting speaker submissions for NEXTStage and the LUXURY Lounge at KBIS 2027. Additionally, the KBIS Podcast Studio is seeking hosts to record live on the show floor.

    KBIS 2027 will be at the Las Vegas Convention Center from Feb. 2- 4, 2027.

    Experienced professionals are encouraged to apply for a space on NEXTStage, the LUXURY Lounge, the KBIS Podcast Studio or all three. Candidates will be evaluated on expertise in the architecture and design community, speaking experience, social media presence and a memorable point of view. Applications are open through Oct. 2, 2026, and will be reviewed as they come in.

    Interested professionals can apply here. Nominations are also welcome; please email KBIS@flyingcamel.com, with the subject line “KBIS Speaker” and a brief explanation of their qualifications and relevant experience.

     

     

  • Landmark housing law urges for zoning guidelines

    Landmark housing law urges for zoning guidelines

    The newly enacted 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act directs the Department of Housing and Urban Development to develop voluntary federal guidelines for state and local zoning best practices. Such guidelines will help shape how communities are evaluated for federal grants and give states a model for developing their own enabling legislation.

    According to the National Association of Home Builders, providing these guidelines will address many state and local zoning rules that restrict home building and raise costs. By creating land-use and zoning guidelines with input from a national task force of planning, housing, transit, academic and building experts, this landmark housing law aims to remove regulatory barriers and increase housing production across all income levels.

    Read Full Article

  • Mattamy Homes announces delivery of 150,000 homes

    Mattamy Homes announces delivery of 150,000 homes

    Mattamy Homes, a privately held homebuilder founded in 1978, announced that it has delivered over 150,000 homes in the U.S. and Canada.

    The builder delivered 8,453 homes in FY 2025, compared to 50,000 homes in its first 30 years of business.

    In 2026, the builder appears to be accelerating its land acquisition, with new developments announced in Arizona, Florida and Calgary, in the past two months.

    “This milestone reflects the consistency and dedication of our team members across the US,” said Keith Bass, CEO of Mattamy Homes US. “Every home we deliver represents a family we have the privilege to serve. As we continue to grow, our focus remains on building high-quality homes and communities that meet the needs of today’s buyers.”

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Market Research >

  • Mortgage rates average 6.67%

    Mortgage rates average 6.67%

    According to Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Survey (PMS) released on Aug. 13, 2026, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 6.67%, a slight decrease from the previous week’s average of 6.69%.

    “Mortgage rates remained relatively stable this week at 6.67%,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist. “Housing affordability has improved from a year ago and recent increases in purchase and refinance applications suggest that borrowers continue to respond to even modest changes in mortgage rates.”

    A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.58%.

    The 15-year FRM averaged 5.96%, down from the previous week when it averaged 6.01%. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 5.71%.

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  • The importance of curb appeal in home purchases

    The importance of curb appeal in home purchases

    New data from John Burns Research and Consulting found that 34% of homeowners said that curb appeal played a significant role in home purchases. According to the New Homes Trends Institute, 15% said that lack of curb appeal was a deal-breaker.

    Most potential buyers will not make it past the front yard. From the 1,240 U.S. homeowners who were surveyed in June 2026, buyers said they expect quality landscaping from builders. The report emphasized that most buyers want a lush backyard just as much as they want a beautiful home.

    John Burns Research and Consulting’s monthly survey insights reports provide the latest findings on consumer behavior.

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  • Builder confidence edges higher in August

    Builder confidence edges higher in August

    According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) released on Aug. 17, 2026, builder confidence in the market for newly built single-family homes inched up one point to 35 in August.

    “While builder sentiment edged higher in August, builders continue to contend with high construction costs and broader economic uncertainty,” said NAHB Chairman Bill Owens, a home builder and remodeler from Worthington, Ohio. “However, the Midwest remains a bright spot for the home building industry, with new home sales up in that region more than 2% so far in 2026.”

    “Custom home builders continue to report stronger market conditions than spec builders, reflecting better conditions at the higher end of the market,” said NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz. “Smaller, less dense markets are also outperforming larger metropolitan areas, and smaller builders report relatively stronger conditions than larger builders.”

    Read Full Article

  • Mattamy Homes announces delivery of 150,000 homes

    Mattamy Homes announces delivery of 150,000 homes

    Mattamy Homes, a privately held homebuilder founded in 1978, announced that it has delivered over 150,000 homes in the U.S. and Canada.

    The builder delivered 8,453 homes in FY 2025, compared to 50,000 homes in its first 30 years of business.

    In 2026, the builder appears to be accelerating its land acquisition, with new developments announced in Arizona, Florida and Calgary, in the past two months.

    “This milestone reflects the consistency and dedication of our team members across the US,” said Keith Bass, CEO of Mattamy Homes US. “Every home we deliver represents a family we have the privilege to serve. As we continue to grow, our focus remains on building high-quality homes and communities that meet the needs of today’s buyers.”

    Read Full Article 

  • Mortgage rates average 6.69%

    Mortgage rates average 6.69%

    As of Aug. 6, 2026, mortgage rates averaged 6.69%, according to Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Survey (PMS). These results are up from last week’s average of 6.66%. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.63%.

    “The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.69% this week,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist. “While mortgage rates continue to influence affordability, the housing market is showing signs of adjustment, with listing prices modestly below year-ago levels and for-sale inventory improving from the limited supply seen in recent years.”

    The 15-year FRM averaged 6.01%, down from the previous week’s 6.04%. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 5.75%.

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  • PulteGroup launches expansion to Northwest Florida

    PulteGroup launches expansion to Northwest Florida

    PulteGroup, one of the nation’s largest builders, announced expansion to Northwest Florida, launching its Panhandle Division.

    The builder, which delivered an estimated 29,572 homes in 2025, has a long history in the Sunshine State. It first expanded to Sarasota in 1997, then acquired Florida-based builder DiVosta a year later.

    PulteGroup announced Taylor Larza to lead the new division as Vice President and Market Manager.

    “The opportunity to build a new division from the ground up is an exciting challenge and a tremendous honor,” said Larza. “I’m eager to help establish a strong foundation for our Panhandle Division while continuing to work closely with our Northeast Florida team, which will continue to support our operational functions as we develop. I’m grateful for the experiences, relationships, and support I’ve received throughout my career at PulteGroup, and I look forward to this next chapter of growth and opportunity.”

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  • Highland Homes purchases 100 acres for self development

    Highland Homes purchases 100 acres for self development

    Highland Homes, one of Texas’ most prominent builders, launches its self-development arm with the purchase of 100 acres in Melina. The builder estimates that the land will include 400 homesites ranging from 45 to 60 feet wide.

    Highland, overseeing the development, believes the lots will be ready by the end of the year, with home sales to begin in spring 2027.

    Highland Homes currently builds in 11 Austin-area communities and more than 100 in Texas. With these new avenues of self-development, the builder estimates delivering 600 homes in the near future to the Georgetown area.

    “This is a natural next step for Highland Homes in Central Texas,” said Jeff Stinson, Senior Vice President of Land for Highland Homes. “Developing these projects allows us to time supply to properly meet buyer demand. We’re excited to work with such esteemed partners to bring these communities to life.”

    Photo Courtesy of Highland Homes

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  • Dream Finders Homes acquires Beazer Homes for $2.2 billion

    Dream Finders Homes acquires Beazer Homes for $2.2 billion

    It’s official: Dream Finders Homes (DFH) will acquire Beazer Homes in a $2.2 billion deal. This comes after multiple public rounds of offers from DFH to acquire the Atlanta-based builder.

    The offer values Beazer Homes at $33.50 per share, up from Dream Finders’ last offer in July of $32.00 per share.

    The combined company will operate in 26 markets across high-demand areas in the Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, the Midwest, Texas and the West.

    “As someone who started Dream Finders from the ground up, I know what it takes to build a culture that puts homebuyers first and that’s exactly what I see in Beazer,” said Patrick Zalupski, Founder, CEO and Co-Chairman of Dream Finders. “They have built something genuinely special – a talented team, strong communities, and a culture that puts customers at the center of everything they do. That resonates deeply with us. This combination is the next meaningful step in our journey to become a top 5 national homebuilder, expanding our geographic reach, broadening the range of buyers we can serve and strengthening the integrated services we offer families from contract to close.”

    Dream Finders then reaffirmed its full-year 2026 outlook of 9,250 homes. It’s unclear whether the combined builder will hold the same energy-efficient priorities of Beazer Homes.

    “Over nearly 20 years, we have transformed Beazer into one of the nation’s largest homebuilders through a strategy focused on delivering on energy-efficient homes and best-in-class customer experiences,” said Allan P. Merrill, Chairman, President and CEO of Beazer Homes. “This transaction represents the culmination of a comprehensive review of opportunities to maximize value and provides Beazer shareholders with a significant and certain cash return in an uncertain market. I am proud of our people and want to thank our entire organization for their exceptional work to ensure that, together with Dream Finders, we continue providing homebuyers across the country with a high-quality product and outstanding service.”

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  • Highland Homes announces restructuring

    Highland Homes announces restructuring

    Highland Homes, the Texas-based homebuilder, announced a new division-led organizational structure. Under the new structure, local functional teams will report directly to a Division President.

    With that comes the posting of new Division Presidents: Jarod Mouton to lead Houston, and John DePasquale to lead Highland’s Central Texas division, serving the Austin and San Antonio markets.

    This change is designed to strengthen local market leadership, sharpen accountability and bring decision-making closer to the customers and communities it serves.

    “Highland’s success has always come from understanding what homebuyers value in each market and empowering our people to deliver it,” said Aaron Graham, Chairman and CEO of Highland Homes. “This structure brings leadership and decision-making closer to our customers while giving our senior functional leaders greater capacity to advance the products, technology and growth strategies that will shape Highland’s future. We were deliberate about the structure, the leaders and the timing, and I’m confident it positions us to serve our customers and employee owners even better in every market.”

    Highland also announced several promotions as part of the new structure. Stephen Chambers has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer and will lead Architectural Services and New Product Development, Supply Chain, Information Technology, Marketing and MarTech.

    Jeff Stinson is promoted to Chief Strategy and Land Officer; he will lead enterprise strategy and land initiatives to support Highland’s long-term growth. Amy Jones is promoted to Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing in Dallas-Fort Worth.

    The changes follow months of planning and preparation to ensure the structure, leadership and timing were right for Highland. The company expects the division-led framework to strengthen its ability to serve homebuyers, create opportunities for its employee owners and build on its position in every Texas market it serves.

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  • Federal Reserve holds rates steady for fifth consecutive month

    Federal Reserve holds rates steady for fifth consecutive month

    The Federal Reserve, during its July policy meeting, decided to hold interest rates at 3.5% to 3.75%. This comes amid elevated inflation rates, which were attributed to supply shocks. This is also the Fed’s fifth consecutive hold; the last rate cut was in December 2025.

    “The Committee decided to maintain the target range for the federal funds rate at 3-1/2 to 3-3/4 percent, in support of the Federal Reserve’s dual mandate,” the Board said in a statement. “The Committee is continuing its policy of maintaining ample reserves in the banking system.”

    This is Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh’s second decision of his tenure since he took the helm in May. The National Association of Home Builders Chief Economist, Robert Dietz, discussed what this means for builders.

    “If you squint a little, this can be seen as a dovish policy message because, while the Fed can affect aggregate demand by tightening monetary policy (as the bond market appears to expect), the central bank cannot effectively address supply shocks with policy,” said Dietz. “While this should not be interpreted as taking rate hikes off the table, it is an accurate statement of current macroeconomic conditions and many analysts’ views that the Fed cannot solve energy price increases due to war or one-off tariff effects with monetary policy.

  • New home sales edge higher

    New home sales edge higher

    According to newly released data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau, newly built single-family home sales rose 1.6% in June to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 628,000.

    “New home sales are gaining some momentum at the more affordable range of the market, with homes priced below $300,000 accounting for 23% of June sales, up from 16% a year earlier,” said the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Chief Economist Robert Dietz. “However, that price point is generally only achievable in markets with lower development and construction costs, particularly with respect to lower state and local regulatory costs.”

    “The pace of new home sales has remained constrained in recent months by elevated mortgage rates,” said Bill Owens, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a home builder and remodeler from Worthington, Ohio. “Builders continue to use incentives to support sales, with NAHB survey data showing that 62% of builders offered some form of incentive in June.”

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  • With Exhibitor Space Sold Out, Registration is Open for the 2026 Building Industry Show, the “Not Your Typical Tradeshow” Experience

    With Exhibitor Space Sold Out, Registration is Open for the 2026 Building Industry Show, the “Not Your Typical Tradeshow” Experience

    It’s official: The highly-anticipated exhibitor show floor at the upcoming Building Industry Show (BIS) has sold out all available booth space. While exhibitor space is full, registration is open for those homebuilding industry pros who want to be in the room for exclusive access to homebuilders, trade associates, service providers and other leading companies spanning Southern California’s homebuilding industry.

    BIS 2026, hosted by the Building Industry Association of Southern California (BIASC), returns to Indian Wells in September for its high-energy takeover of the region’s home building scene, bringing together the nation’s top homebuilders and more than 1,000 of the industry’s biggest players for two epic days of business-to-business networking, entertainment, industry education and business opportunities and event experiences.

    The nation’s top homebuilders at BIS, with more to be announced, include Lennar Homes, CBC Homes, Crestwood Communities, Davidson Communities, Meritage Homes, Pacific Communities, Richmond American, Risewell Homes, Shea Homes, Toll Brothers, Tri Pointe Homes and Warmington Residential.

    Dubbed as “not your typical tradeshow,” BIS 2026 will deliver an abundance of experiences for attendees:

    •  Exhibitor Show Floor Experience
      • Over 100 exhibitor booths with Southern California’s top homebuilders and housing professionals showcasing the latest in industry trends, products and services.
    •  Meet the Builder Session
      • One-on-one networking opportunities connecting exhibitors, associates and decision-makers for increased opportunities to grow business.
    • Casino-Style Gaming
      • Casino-style gaming tables on the exhibitor floor where attendees can network and win prizes.
    • Over $10,000 in Massive Prizes
      • Opportunities to win a Hawaiian getaway, an ultimate pro sports tickets package, luxury golf escapes at famed Pebble Beach Resorts and Pelican Hill Golf Club, tickets to see Bruno Mars, and tickets to see Metallica at the Las Vegas Sphere.
    • Styx & Chicago Live in Concert
      • Attendees will receive tickets to experience two legendary rock bands performing live at Acrisure Arena.
    • Builders vs. Associates Golf Tournament
      • A friendly yet competitive tournament bringing together builders and industry partners for a memorable day on the course.
    • Live iHeartRadio Broadcast
      • A live broadcast from the show floor featuring interviews with industry leaders and exhibitors throughout the exhibitor show floor experience.
    • Davidson Communities Wine Tasting & Model Home Tour
      • An exclusive wine tasting experience and guided tour of a Davidson Communities model home at Cotino™, the new Storyliving by Disney © Community in the Coachella Valley.
    • Industry Education Sessions
      • Insightful presentations and discussions covering the latest trends, challenges, innovations and opportunities impacting homebuilding.
    • Exhibitor Reception & Networking Events
      • Multiple opportunities to connect with builders, developers, suppliers and decision-makers in a relaxed environment.
    • Chapter Board Installation Gala Dinner
      • An elegant evening recognizing incoming chapter presidents, board members and volunteer leaders.

    As one attendee of past BIS events attested, “There is no trade show like BIS. The builders come to the exhibitor floor and stay due to all the important industry strategic meetings, networking programs and entertainment throughout the day and night.”

    “BIS 2026 was designed with a simple goal: create an event where meaningful business relationships happen naturally – all in a fun, festive environment,” said Jeff Montejano, BIASC Chief Executive Officer. “Rather than relying on the traditional trade show format, we’ve built an experience that is engaging, interactive and centered on bringing people together. From the exhibit hall to every networking opportunity throughout the event, every element is intentionally designed to encourage conversations, strengthen partnerships and deliver lasting value for our members and exhibitors.”

    BIS dates and location:
    September 2-3, 2026

    Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa, Indian Wells
    Companies interested in having a booth at the BIS exhibitor show floor are encouraged to secure a spot on the waiting list by contacting us at membership@biasc.org.

    How to Register as an Attendee and Boost Business Through Sponsorship
    To secure a spot as an attendee as this event that is expected to fully sell out and to boost business visibility among Southern California’s homebuilding industry, visit www.BuildingIndustryShow.com

    About BIASC

    The Building Industry Association of Southern California is the voice of the region’s building industry, with five chapters offering localized services to building professionals from Ventura to the southern tip of Orange County. For more than a century, the association has served its builder and associate members by anticipating, protecting, and promoting their common interests through a wide range of programs, services, councils, and committees. For more information on the Building Industry Association of Southern California, visit biasc.org.

  • Starter home prices outpace buyer income

    Starter home prices outpace buyer income

    The average age of a homeowner is 44, despite Gen Z homeownership rising in 2025. However, for buyers its not finding a home that is a challenge.

    According to recent research from Realtor, there are 300,000 fewer starter homes than before the pandemic. To address this, builders in 2026 are building on smaller lots at a quicker pace than the year before.

    The reality is the cost to purchase a starter home has dramatically increased. The average price of a starter home has risen from $256,000 in 2019 to $344,000 today. Consumer buying power and salaries have not followed suit. The average income needed to purchase is $78,000, up from $43,000 in 2019, while over the same period median household income rose only 28.3% at an estimated $69,000 to $88,100.

    “The barrier for today’s starter home buyer isn’t finding a home, it’s qualifying for one,” said Senior Economist “With mortgage rates still in the mid-6% range and the income needed to purchase a typical starter home up more than 80% since 2019, many would-be buyers are sitting on the sidelines even as listings accumulate.

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  • New single-family homes shift to smaller lots

    New single-family homes shift to smaller lots

    The long-term trend of building single-family detached homes on smaller lots appears to have stabilized. According to an analysis from the National Association of Home Builders, new single-family detached homes have steadily shifted toward smaller lots as a direct result of builders’ efforts to improve affordability and attract homebuyers.

    According to the latest Survey of Construction, the share of new homes built on smaller lots remained near record highs in 2025, following more than a decade of steadily shrinking lot sizes.

    The share of small lots remained high in 2025, with close to two-thirds of new single-family detached homes sold occupying lots under 9,000 square feet. Moreover, 38% of lots were under 7,000 square feet. These shares are just slightly below the record highs established over the last two years.

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  • June AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index gains three points

    June AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index gains three points

    The American Institute of Architects (AIA) recently released the AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index® (ABI) for June; the score at 47.3 is a three-point increase from May.

    While the reading increased, a metric below 50 indicates an equal share of firms reporting decreases and increases.

    The South continues its reign as the strongest market with a reading at 49.5, despite a 0.01% decrease from May. The West trails at 45.6 with the Midwest close behind at 45.1. The Northeast dropped from 46.2 in May to 44.9 reading in June.

    “Architecture firms remain mired in one of the longest running downturns in the 30-plus year history of the ABI, which now stretches to 41 months without a majority of firms reporting billings growth,” said AIA Chief Economist, Richard Branch. “The uncertainty over the conflict in Iran along with high interest rates and significant labor shortages will continue to weigh on construction – and architect billings over the next several months.”

    Read Full Article 

  • June housing starts and completions exceed estimates

    June housing starts and completions exceed estimates

    On July 17, 2026, the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development released their new residential construction report for June 2026.

    According to the report, privately-owned housing completions in June were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,392,000, 3.3% above the revised May estimate of 1,347,000 and 1.5 percent% above the June 2025 rate of 1,372,000.

    Privately-owned housing starts in June were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,427,000, 19% above the revised May estimate of 1,199,000 and 3.5% above the June 2025 rate of 1,379,000. Single-family housing starts in June were at a rate of 895,000, a small 0.2% decline from the revised May figure of 897,000.

    Privately-owned housing units authorized by building permits in June were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,367,000, only 3% below the revised May rate of 1,410,000. Single-family authorizations in June were at a rate of 871,000, 2.4% below the revised May figure of 892,000.

    Read Full Article

     

  • D.R. Horton realigns outlook despite strong Q3

    D.R. Horton realigns outlook despite strong Q3

    In this challenging market, the nation’s largest homebuilder, D.R. Horton, just exceeded its Q3 expectations with 23,983 homes closed and a home sales gross margin of 20.7%. Yet, the builder is realigning its full-year revenue and closings guidance.

    On the company’s Q3 earnings call on July 21, 2026, David Auld, Executive Chairman, noted that the market is at a crossroads with the weary consumer.

    “Affordability constraints and cautious consumer sentiment continue to impact new home demand and we expect sales incentives to remain elevated during the fourth quarter, with incentive levels dependent on demand, mortgage rates and other market conditions,” said Auld.

    D.R. Horton revised its projected 2026 ‌consolidated ⁠revenue at $32.5 billion to $33.0 billion, down from its previous forcast of $33.5 billion to $34.5 billion.

    Despite this, the builder’s homebuilding revenue for the third quarter increased 1% to $8.7 billion. Total closed homes ticked up 4% from Q2 to 23,983.

    “Our experienced local operators, broad national footprint, flexible lot supply and strong balance sheet position us to compete effectively and capture demand across our markets,” said Auld We remain focused on disciplined capital allocation and are committed to delivering value to our homebuyers while enhancing long-term returns for our shareholders.”

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  • Michigan governor signs bills to boost homebuilding

    Michigan governor signs bills to boost homebuilding

    On July 21, 2026, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed three bills into law aimed at increasing homebuilding across the state. The bills will enable the Michigan Housing Opportunity Tax Credit to work in tandem with the federal low-income housing tax credit to build more affordable housing and cut red tape to help build new homes.

    “Every Michigander deserves an affordable, quality place to call home,” said Whitmer. “I’m proud to sign these bills that cut red tape, lower housing costs and expand our housing stock available to working families looking to put down roots. Over the last seven-and-a-half years, we’ve built more homes than any administration in state history and lowered costs for every Michigander, making it possible for more people to become homeowners. This year’s budget builds on that progress by investing in our neighborhoods and the people who need it most. Let’s keep working together to give every Michigander a shot at finding a place to call home.”

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