design trends

  • Mortgage rates hold steady

    Mortgage rates hold steady

    Results from Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey revealed that the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 6.66% on Aug. 27, 2026. This is the second time in August that mortgage rates have averaged 6.66%. Mortgage rates remain relatively unchanged throughout the month, holding steady.

    “Mortgage rates changed little this week, averaging 6.66%,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist. “The economy remains resilient, demonstrated by steady consumer spending and rising household incomes. More homes coming on the market and slower price growth in many areas are giving buyers better options and helping create a more balanced housing market.”

    The current FRM is slightly up from last week’s average of 6.65%. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.56%. The 15-year FRM averaged 5.98%, up from last week when it averaged 5.95%. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 5.69%.

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  • Berkshire Hathaway doubles down on housing market investment

    Berkshire Hathaway doubles down on housing market investment

    Berkshire Hathaway just raised its stake in the housing game, upping its stock in production builder Lennar to an estimated 30% or $1.157 billion. That’s not the only builder the firm bolstered its investment in. Berkshire Hathaway also purchased stakes in D.R. Horton, the nation’s largest homebuilder, valued at around $580,000.

    This all comes about a month after Berkshire Hathaway closed on its $8.5 billion all-cash acquisition of Taylor Morrison.

    What does this investment say about the future of housing?

    Berkshire Hathaway’s new CEO, Greg Abel, who started the role in January, sees the market making a major comeback from the slump that builders are widely reporting in 2026.

    With increased federal investment from the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, big bets are being placed on the future of the built environment.

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  • Slump continues in July AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index

    Slump continues in July AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index

    The American Institute of Architects (AIA) recently released the AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index® (ABI) for July. The score is 46.6, a dip from June.

    Important to note, it reports on all architectural billings, not residential alone. Multifamily residential received a stronger score than overall at 48.4.

    AIA announced that the slump in billings is the longest in the ABI’s history, now surpassing three and a half years.

    “Macroeconomic uncertainty continues to weigh on the built environment,” said AIA Chief Economist Richard Branch. “High oil prices are putting upward pressure on inflation and may lead to even higher rates in the back half of the year. This will put additional pressure on developers and may lead to a further weakening in billings.”

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  • Mattamy Homes announces new CEO

    Mattamy Homes announces new CEO

    Mattamy Homes, a family-owned homebuilder in North America that just surpassed 150,000 homes delivered, announced the retirement of its current CEO, Keith Bass.

    Bass has led the company since 2020 and will retire Sept. 1, 2026.

    Chris Lindhorst, the current Chief Operating Officer at Mattamy Homes, will succeed him as CEO.

    Lindhorst joined the company in early 2026 and previously served as Regional President at D.R. Horton.

    “It is an honor to have the opportunity to lead Mattamy Homes U.S.,” said Lindhorst. “Keith and the broader leadership team have built a strong business with an outstanding reputation, talented people and a clear vision for the future. I am excited to work alongside our teams across the United States to build on that momentum, continue delivering for our customers and create long-term value for the business.”

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  • Why you shouldn’t miss our upcoming webinar

    Why you shouldn’t miss our upcoming webinar

    In today’s shifting housing market, builders, architects and design-build firms face a shared strategic challenge: expanding project margins and revenue…

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  • Mortgage rates hold steady

    Mortgage rates hold steady

    Results from Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey revealed that the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 6.66% on Aug. 27,…

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