As economist Milton Friedman once quipped, monetary policy has a history of operating with “long and variable lags.”[1] What Friedman was expressing is that it takes some time for the true effects of monetary policy, like the changing of the federal funds rate, to permeate completely through the larger economy. While some industries, like housing,…

Located in the impoverished Kensington section of Philadelphia, the client wished to provide the area with a much-needed resource: affordable housing. Utilizing a historic property, a former textile warehouse built in 1893 that has been abandoned and fallen into despair, the project sought to reuse and convert the building as affordable housing, and to become a beacon within the community representing an investment into the betterment of the neighborhood. t By working in tandem with historical architects and funding through…

According to the latest What Home Buyers Really Want Study*, the vast majority of home buyers are looking for a home with at least one home office (or space dedicated to work/study).  More specifically, 66% would prefer to buy a home with exactly one home office, 13% want at least two offices, and 20% want…

Housing starts fell in March with interest rates somewhat higher than expected last month as the latest inflation readings failed to show improvement. Builders are also still facing higher supply-side costs and tighter lending conditions. Overall housing starts decreased 14.7% in March to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.32 million units, according to a…

An earlier post based on the report The Building Sustainably: Green & Resilient Single- Family Homes 2024 SmartMarket Brief focused on the prevalence of green home building. This post will examine commonly used practices in green building. This is the second part of a four-part series that will be published about the report.   Top Green…

Be sure to check out the April Design Bite, Graceful Living: Tour Your Ideal Retirement Haven, April 18! Baby Boomers are retiring, downsizing and moving and most often to warmer climates. Your target is the female who is looking for security, safety, ease of use and comfort in a beautiful environment with minimum maintenance. Come and take a tour from the curb, through the building and into the livable environment for a prospective “aging in place” client. Free for NAHB…

A rare new build in the coveted beachfront enclave of Diamond Head, this 7,324-square-foot residence embraces its spectacular location while paying homage to island vibes in a modern, fresh way. Complicated structural systems provide expanse and openness. Walls give way to glass engineered to maximize spectacular ocean views and seamless indoor-outdoor living. The purposely designed entry considers the flow of energy, opening to a voluminous space where the landscape intersects under a dramatic floating staircase, and meanders around the stunning…

Builder sentiment was flat in April as mortgage rates remained close to 7% over the past month and the latest inflation data failed to show improvement during the first quarter of 2024. Builder confidence in the market for newly built single-family homes was 51 in April, unchanged from March, according to the National Association of…

Mulberry Farms’ community vision is an active, pedestrian-connected and engaging neighborhood crafted for its residents. As a build-to-rent community, it offers a desirable lifestyle with engaging home offerings and appealing amenities novel in this market. Crafted into the overall community are interconnecting pedestrian ways that visually and physically connected open spaces and amenities as part of the lifestyle experience. An essential part of this concept is a centralized gathering and entertaining clubhouse reflecting an aesthetic theme for the overall community.…

Over the first two months of 2024, the total number of single-family permits issued year-to-date (YTD) nationwide reached 155,236. On a year-over-year (YoY) basis, this is an increase of 38.4% over the February 2023 level of 112,131. Year-to-date ending in February, single-family permits were up in all four regions. The range of permit increase spanned…