Young Adults Report More Interest in the Construction Trades: 2026 Survey
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) reports a 1.2 million‑unit housing deficit and a $11 billion annual cost from construction‑trade labor shortages. A 2026 survey of 18‑25‑year‑olds shows interest in construction trades doubled to 6%, though overall career certainty fell to 65%. Good pay and skill acquisition rank as the top benefits, and 48% of undecided respondents would consider the trades for salaries of $60,000‑$90,000. The findings suggest compensation can markedly shift young adults’ willingness to enter the field.
Existing Home Sales Fell in March
Existing home sales in March dropped 3.6% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.98 million, the lowest level since June 2025. Tight inventory rose modestly to 1.4 million units, creating a 4.1‑month supply, while median home prices climbed 1.4% to $408,800, marking...
A 25-Basis-Point Decline in the Mortgage Rate Prices-In 1.42 Million Households
A 25‑basis‑point (0.25 percentage‑point) drop in mortgage rates could make monthly payments affordable for an estimated 1.42 million additional households, expanding the pool of qualified borrowers. Simultaneously, incorporating the lower operating costs of energy‑efficient homes into underwriting can deliver an equivalent 75‑basis‑point...
How Housing Affordability Conditions Vary Across States and Metro Areas
NAHB’s 2026 priced‑out estimates reveal that over 65 % of households in 39 states and the District of Columbia cannot afford a median‑priced new home. New Hampshire tops the unaffordability chart with 83.4 % of its households priced out, while even lower‑priced...
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...
How Rising Costs Affect Home Affordability
Housing affordability remains a pressing concern, with 65% of U.S. households unable to afford a median-priced new home in 2026. Elevated mortgage rates amplify the impact of even modest home‑price increases, pushing more families out of the market. The National...
Cost of Credit for Builders & Developers at Its Lowest Since 2022
The NAHB’s AD&C Financing survey shows that in Q4 2025 the cost of credit for residential builders fell to its lowest level since 2022. Contract rates dropped across land acquisition, development, speculative and pre‑sold single‑family loans, and effective rates fell even...
Existing Home Sales Retreat Amid Low Inventory
Existing home sales slipped 8.4% in January to a seasonally adjusted 3.91 million units, the lowest level since August 2024. Inventory remained tight at 1.2 million homes, providing only a 3.7‑month supply and keeping resale prices elevated. The median existing‑home price rose 0.9%...