29 Nov 2018
By Mark Feder

NAHB Reports Lowest Builder Confidence Reading Since 2014

Real Estate
Obstacles facing home builders have caught up with high builder confidence according to the National Association of Home Builders Housing Market Index for November. Builder confidence dropped eight points to an index reading of 60, which was the largest month-to-month drop in builder confidence since 2014. November's decline in builder confidence was greater than the largest month-to-month decline during the housing crisis. Housing Market Index readings over 50 are considered positive, but analysts said that long-standing headwinds caught up with home builders' outlook on housing market conditions and sub-categories used to comprise the overall Housing Market Index reading. Obstacles Impacted…
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09 Nov 2018
By Mark Feder

5 Trends Shaping Green Homes

Real Estate
Think green home design is a fad? Well, think again. Sustainable home designs are gaining popularity at a breakneck speed. In 2017, green homes accounted for more than 60 percent of family home builder's portfolios, according to a survey conducted by the National Association of Home Builders.  But what is really driving green home designs? In this post, we explore five trends shaping sustainable homes.  1. Energy Efficiency  Home designs that cater to consumers' need to reduce utility bills continue taking center stage. From net-zero energy homes to energy conserving products, home buyers want to save money. Moving forward, industry…
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07 Nov 2018
By Mark Feder

3 Millennial Home-Buying Trends Sellers Should Know

Real Estate
After five consecutive years of Millennials outpacing all other home-buying demographics, sellers would be wise to wrap their thinking around what makes this generation tick. According to a 2018 Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends research study, Millennials purchased more than one-third of all homes in 2017. With home purchases totaling approximately 36 percent of the market in 2018, this class of buyer has increased its market share from 34 percent in 2017. Taken as a whole, the previously formidable Baby Boomers ranging from 52-70 years old enjoyed only a 32-percent market share. GenXers declined from 28 percent in 2017…
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02 Oct 2018
By Mark Feder

What Are The Housing Market Projections For 3rd Qtr 2018 — And Beyond?

Real Estate
The National Association of Realtors (NAR), in its ongoing analysis of home sales statistics, believes that prices will continue to rise during the third quarter, but that uncertainty over elections could be a factor during the second half of the year. However, NAR's report noted that in July, a typically lackluster month, home prices rose by about nine percent, and days on market decreased significantly, perhaps signaling a strong start for the third quarter. National statistics don't necessarily tell the whole story, however. In addition, what will happen in the fourth quarter is, at this point, a bit more difficult…
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