Todd Grey

Equity Smart Home Loans

Looking For Something?

  • Home
  • Blog
  • Resources
    • First Time Home Buyer Tips
    • First Time Home Seller Tips
    • Closing Costs
    • Home Appraisal
    • Home Inspection
    • Loan Checklist
    • Loan Process
    • Loan Programs
    • Mortgage Glossary
    • Mortgage FAQ
  • Apply
    • Short Application
  • Reviews
    • Read my Reviews
    • Leave a Review
  • Contact

May 16, 2019 by support

NAHB: May Home Builder Confidence Hits Highest Level in 7 Months

NAHB May Home Builder Confidence Hits Highest Level in 7 MonthsThe National Association of Home Builders reported the highest builder confidence reading in seven months for May. May’s reading exceeded expectations for an index reading of 64 and rose three points to 67.

Component readings for the main NAHB reading were also higher. Builder confidence in current housing market conditions rose three points to 72; confidence in housing market conditions for the next six months rose one point to 72 and the reading for buyer traffic in single-family housing developments rose two points to 49.

Any reading over 50 indicates most builders are positive about housing market conditions, but the reading for buyer traffic is often lower than 50. May’s reading suggests that builders were expecting solid buyer traffic as the peak home buying season started. The average NAHB Housing Market Index reading for 2018 was 67; 2019’s average reading is 62.

March housing starts were the lowest in two years. Lower mortgage rates could increase demand for homes and possibly compel builders to ratchet up construction, but there are no guarantees that low mortgage rates will hold steady over the long run.

Builders Cite Ongoing Obstacles Including Tariffs And Labor Costs

Home builders continued to experience higher materials and labor costs. Tariffs were cited as a cause of higher materials costs that are passed on to buyers by raising home prices. While would-be buyers may enter the market due to lower mortgage rates, higher home prices are likely to sideline first-time and moderate income buyers who are concerned with affordability and strict mortgage qualification requirements.

Freddie Mac reported that based on its survey of recent buyers, about 16 percent of recent home buyers relied on seller assistance. While seller contributions to home buyers are carefully regulated, this type of transaction can help buyers get into a home without spending their last dollar.

Rapidly rising home prices and buyer competition have skewed housing markets in favor of sellers in high-demand markets, but slower growth of home prices in recent months could help more renters buy homes. Continued trade negotiations and increased tariffs on China could impact housing costs depending on terms of negotiations and tariffs imposed.

 

Spread the Love!

support

Filed Under: Market Outlook Tagged With: Market Conditions, Market Trends, NAHB

Contact Todd

Equity Smart Home Loans
Mortgage Loan Officer
tgrey@equitysmartloans.com
Call (818) 435-6560
NMLS #1594405

Follow Me on Social Media!

How can I help?

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Categories

Archives

Recent Posts

  • What is the Difference Between a Reverse Mortgage and a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage?
  • Running A Quick Financial Health Check Before You Apply For A Mortgage
  • What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – May 22, 2023
  • Important Things You Should Know About Land Surveys
nmlsconsumeraccess.org
Equity Smart Home Loans NMLS ID: 856170
CA Bur of Real Estate - Real Estate Broker - DRE#01906808

Equal Housing Lender

Location


1499 Huntington Dr Ste 500
South Pasadena, CA 91030

Copyright © 2023 · Generate Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in