Articles
Technology and versatility helps tile grow
Tile is a sector in which aesthetic is as important as function. Hard surface sales continue to climb. During the third quarter of 2018, hard surface flooring may have accounted for 56.6 percent of total dollar sales — a 7.5 percent increase from 2017, according to Catalina. Read More
Builder confidence drops four points
Builder confidence in the market for newly-built single-family homes fell four points to 56 in Dec. on the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) as concerns over housing affordability persist. Although this is the lowest HMI reading since May 2015, builder sentiment remains in positive territory. Read More
New home sales drop in October
Sales of newly built, single-family homes fell to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 544,000 units in October after an upwardly revised September report, according to newly released data by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau. This is the lowest sales pace since December 2016. However, on a year-to-date basis, sales are up 2.8 percent from this time in 2017. Read More
Builder confidence drop, affordability issues rise
Growing affordability concerns resulted in builder confidence in the market for newly-built single-family homes falling eight points to 60 in November on the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI). Despite the sharp drop, builder sentiment still remains in positive territory. Read More
Builder confidence in 55+ housing market drops
Builder confidence in the single-family 55+ housing market dropped seven points to 60 in the third quarter, according to the National Association of Home Builders' (NAHB) 55+ Housing Market Index (HMI) released today. Although the index declined, it is still in positive territory as a reading above 50 means that more builders view conditions as good than poor. Read More
Remodeling confidence remains solid in Q3
"The stability of the RMI reflects offsetting trends in the remodeling market," said NAHB chief economist Robert Dietz. "A sound economy with low unemployment and easing lumber prices are being counterbalanced by rising interest rates and the ongoing labor shortage." Read More