Data & Research
Data & Research
November Data: Custom Architects Weigh In, New Construction Trends, Contractor Confidence, and Material Price Changes
We've collected highlights from a number of data reports published throughout the industry in November
Codes & Standards
OSHA's Preliminary List of 2023's Most Frequently Cited Standards in Violations
Fall-related violations continue to plague the construction industry despite ample free education and resources
Case Studies
New Pandemic Task Force to Enhance Building Safety
A soon-to-be-appointed Pandemic Task Force seeks to strengthen the built environment in the face of disease-related threats
Data & Research
October's Data From Around the Industry
In October, we saw reports on remodeling spending, individual septic system installations, and the widespread use of rate buydowns to sell new homes
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Financial
Study shows delinquent borrowers don’t always default on second mortgage
A study from the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia shows that 20 percent of homeowners that go into foreclosure on their first mortgage continue to make payments on a second-lien mortgage. The story was reported by The Wall Street Journal.
Data & Research
Housing affordability hits highest level in years
For the seventh straight quarter, housing affordability hovered around its highest level in decades, HousingPredictor.com reported. In the third quarter, 71.1 percent of all homes sold were affordable for families earning the median income of $64,400. The record high was set in the first quarter of 2009, when it hit 72.5 percent.
Financial
Homes Lost To Foreclosure Jump 25 Percent in August To Recession Record
August is one for the books, as mortgage lenders repossessed more homes in August than in any month since the start of the housing crisis. According to foreclosure listing firm RealtyTrac Inc., the rise occurred as the number of properties entering the foreclosure process slowed for the seventh consecutive month. Banks repossessed 95,364 properties in August, up 3 percent from July and an increase of 25 percent from August 2009.
Financial
70 Percent of Americans Surveyed Tell Fannie Mae It's a Good Time To Buy a Home
Almost three quarters of Americans give home buying the thumbs up, from 64 percent in a Fannie Mae survey conducted in January.
Financial
Major Bank Analysts Bearish on Housing Recovery
Analysts have lowered estimates for a recovery in the housing market between next year and 2014.
Data & Research
Worst 25 Markets for Housing Deflation in 2010
Manhattan, Las Vegas and Providence, R.I., are among 25 markets that are forecasted to experience steep deflation in housing prices in 2010, according to a new report from the Housing Predictor that forecasts 250 local housing markets in all 50 states. Characteristics studied include income levels, employment trends and changes, school enrollment, business trends, regional political influences, real estate sales history and current housing market velocity.
Leadership
The Art of Benchmarking
With no financial benchmarks, small volume builders often repeat the same mistakes. Here are tips for targeting a bigger profit, without selling out.
Financial
Detail Work
History credits the famous architect Le Corbusier with the phrase "God is in the details." He was offering a more positive affirmation of the old proverb, "The devil is in the details." While I generally have a positive attitude, I believe custom builders are going to find this year that the devil really is in the details.
Leadership
2005 Forecast Sunny, Not Record-breaking
Predicting the Future is tricky business. Last year, housing experts uniformly predicted that home building would come off its hot streak, but record results proved them wrong. Now they agree that decline will come this year. According to the NAHB, 2005 will show a modest decline in total housing starts from 1.