Private fixed investment in student dormitories declined 4.4% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of $3.2 billion in the second quarter of 2021, according to the data released by Bureau of Economic Analysis.  Private fixed investment in dorms was 12.7% higher than a year ago, but 29% below the pre-pandemic level. Private fixed investment in student housing experienced a… Read More ›

You just got lucky! The Best in American Living Awards application deadline has just been extended for an extra two weeks! Take this chance and apply now for the only design awards program at NAHB. The entry portal will officially close on September 9, 2022. Contact Kiera Gulley at kgulley@nahb.org or Susan Asmus at sasmus@nahb.org for any questions.

NAHB analysis of the 2021 Census Bureau Survey of Construction (SOC) data shows that, nationwide, the share of non-conventional financing for new home sales accounted for 28.8% of the market, while conventional financing dominated the market at 71.2%. In 2020, share of non-conventional financing was 34.4% of the market while conventional financing accounted for 65.6% of the market share. Non-conventional… Read More ›

People would agree that having house plants make any space looks nicer and more welcoming, however, besides the aesthetic benefit, there are so many more reasons to include and thoughtfully consider the use of house plants in home designs. Below are some of those benefits. The Biophilia Effect The effect of nature on humans well bring (Biophilia), has been thought of and studied a lot lately. The human affinity to nature and the benefits that come with it is the…

Data from the Survey of Market Absorption of Apartments (SOMA), produced by the Census Bureau, suggest continued improvement for the multifamily sector in the first quarter of 2022 due to strong demand and low vacancy rates. However, the decline in the number of apartment and condominium completions in the first quarter of 2022 reflects the ongoing supply chain challenges. The… Read More ›

The missing middle construction sector includes development of medium-density housing, including townhouses, duplexes and other small multifamily properties. While townhouse construction has trended higher in recent quarters, the multifamily segment of the missing middle (apartments in 2 to 4 unit properties) has disappointed. For 2021, there were only 12,000 starts of such residences. This is flat from from 2020, during a period… Read More ›

New home sales in July fell to their lowest level since January 2016 as the industry grapples with supply chain disruptions that are delaying new home building projects and raising housing costs as mortgage interest rates increased. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau estimated sales of newly built, single-family homes in July at… Read More ›

The empty-nester homeowners wanted a single-level home with extensive indoor/outdoor living areas, designed to take advantage of the view from their waterfront lot. The homeowners favored mid-century modern design and wanted the design and selections to exude warmth. The updated local code required that the new home be elevated 5 feet. So, in place of steep steps to the entrance, the architect designed a gradual series of steps leading to a courtyard entrance with water feature, low-maintenance artificial turf and…

The Model Home at The Village at Seven Desert Mountain is 10,000 sf of a modernist dream world for golfers and lovers of the luxury golf lifestyle. Designed to set the tone for a national award-winning builder, the architect created modernist designs with a rugged material palette that lends itself to the rugged desert setting distinct to north Scottsdale. Sleekly designed for modern living, the kitchen layout is all about functionality and style. A blackened steel range hood is in…

Nonfarm payroll employment increased in 46 states and the District of Columbia in July compared to the previous month while four states lost jobs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nationwide total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 528,000 in July, following a gain of 398,000 jobs in June.  As of July 2022, the U.S. labor market is back to… Read More ›