Know What's Happening in Investing

Builder Sentiment Edges Lower on Affordability Concerns

Builder confidence for new single‑family homes slipped one point to 36 in February, according to the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index. Affordability pressures—high price‑to‑income ratios and rising land and construction costs—drove the decline for a second consecutive month. While price‑cutting fell to 36% of builders, sales incentives stayed at 65% for the 11th month in a row. Regional scores showed the West at the lowest point, with an index of 33.