Home Builder Confidence Hits All-Time Record

Dated: September 30 2020

Views: 475

Home Builder Confidence Hits All-Time Record

Home Builder Confidence Hits All-Time Record | MyKCM

Last week, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) reported their Housing Market Index (HMI) hit an all-time high in the 35-year history of the series with a score of 83. The index gauges builder perceptions of current single-family home sales and sale expectations for the next six months, as well as the traffic of prospective buyers of new homes.

As the following chart shows, confidence dropped dramatically when stay-in-place orders were originally mandated earlier this year. Since then, it has soared back.Home Builder Confidence Hits All-Time Record | MyKCMLooking at the three-month moving averages for HMI scores, confidence increased in every region of the country:

  • The Northeast increased 11 points to 76
  • The Midwest jumped 9 points to 72
  • The South rose 8 points to 79
  • The West increased 7 points to 85

Confidence Is Validated by the Numbers

This confidence is definitely warranted. According to a recent NAHB report, single-family housing starts increased 4.1% to a 1.02 million annual rate, and single-family permits increased 6% to a 1.04 million unit rate, meaning newly constructed homes are on the rise.

A separate report from the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) shows mortgage applications for new home purchases increased by 33.3% compared to a year ago. Joel Kan, Associate Vice President of Economic and Industry Forecasting at MBA, commented on the numbers:

"The housing market continued to exceed expectations in August, as housing demand for new homes stayed strong and the job market continued to recover…The new home market has maintained its path of recovery throughout the summer, and record-low mortgage rates and households seeking more space will likely continue to drive demand into the fall."

Bottom Line

If you’re thinking about putting your house on the market but are afraid you may not find a home to buy, let’s connect to discuss new construction opportunities in our area, houseofbrokers.com

Blog author image

Alana Nyhart

I serve as the Director of Marketing for Weichert, Realtors® – House of Brokers, where I lead our brand strategy, agent marketing, company events, and community engagement efforts. My passio....

Latest Blog Posts

7 Home Features Buyers Are Looking for This Fall

As summer winds down and cooler weather makes its way to Mid-Missouri, the real estate market enters a new season, too. Fall buyers are often thinking beyond summer curb appeal and backyard.

Read More

Real Estate in a Stagflation Economy: What Should Buyers and Sellers Know?

Are we getting a little too much déjà vu from the 1970s?As a Realtor® who pays attention to economic trends—not just what is happening on the MLS—I’ve been

Read More

What Fall Reveals About a Home

A house can tell a very different story in October than it does in June.Landscaping has tremendous visual power. In fact, 97% of REALTORS® say curb appeal is important in attracting a buyer. But

Read More

The $100 Fall Home Refresh

You don't need a shopping cart full of seasonal décor to give your home a fresh look for fall. With about $100 and a little creativity, you can make a noticeable difference.Start at the front

Read More