In response to the weakening demand from homebuyers in the current economy, 38% of homebuilders said they cut prices in the month of July. Alongside builders buying down mortgage rates, the average price reduction has steadily dropped since November as higher interest rates and poor affordability dampened the housing market through the first half of 2025. Nevertheless, confidence has momentarily rebounded thanks to the budget bill passed earlier this month, leaving it up to builders to take initiative in creatively maneuvering through a difficult market. Read More
Read MoreYear: 2025
Homes Charred to Rubble in LA Fires Are Given New Life Through Recycling
In the wake of the devastating January fires in Los Angeles, the Army Corps of Engineers began operations to recycle from fire-damaged homes. Materials like steel, concrete and trees are rescued from the debris and put to work in the recycling process. Reducing the extraction of new raw materials for this project, reusing current available resources and lowering waste going into landfills helps industries rebuild without costly reliance on new materials starting from scratch. According to Insurance Journal, “A lot of this material can be reused in future construction, and…
Read MoreTexas timber industry eyes new opportunities amid steady markets
In the state of Texas, the timber industry continues to expand its economic impact. Continued contributions in homebuilding activity and production alongside new developments of forest management innovate the industry. Coupled with the usage of mass timber in place of concrete or steel, reinvestments and mill expansions surge confidence within Texas’ timber industry while housing markets slow down nationally. Facing such a shift, the state has adapted and continues to be a dominant force in residential construction by tapping into increasingly appealing markets such as energy-efficient homes and multifamily buildings,…
Read MoreWhat is Next as The Popularity of Open Layout Kitchens is Fading
Open layout kitchens have reached their peak and consumers are looking for the next style to build around. Some are looking to combine the style with another while others are going back to traditional styles. From broken plan kitchens to back kitchens, the times are changing in favor of saving space and incorporating a sense of connectedness with the rest of the home. Read More
Read MoreConstruction Materials Market Fueled by Booming Residential and Commercial Construction
Investments in both residential and commercial buildings are expected to bolster the market. The global construction materials market is expected to have a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.7% from 2025 to 2032 to a valuation of USD 2.45 trillion, up from the current estimated USD 1.57 trillion. Residential construction accounts for a global market share of 43.9% of construction materials usage, making it an especially desirable field as green building trends and sustainable practices mold the trajectory of the industry towards a higher market value. Read More
Read MoreSeven Home Upgrades That Just Aren’t Worth the Cost
Home upgrades can completely change the aesthetic of a home, however some may be worth less than the money and energy put into them. Promising upgrades such as skylights and outdoor kitchens appear to many as bedazzling investments as remodeling choices, yet the cost and maintenance associated with such installing such features make them less wise choices in the eyes of some remodelers. Whether these additions are worth the expense or place an unnecessary financial burden is ultimately a conversation to be had between homeowner and builder, but there is…
Read MoreRemodel of the Week: 1908 Seaside Cottage Whole Home Renovation
Find year round coastal living elevated with a view of the serene Seabright Beach in this darling home. The renovators maximized the indoor-outdoor living space and prioritized natural light and optimal energy efficiency. This is a magnificent example of redefining a space to its environment. According to Suna Lock, Creative Director at Viewpoint Interior Design, “the design focused on the intrinsic indoor-outdoor way of living that its location takes full advantage of. In Santa Cruz, for 9 months of the year, it’s not blue oceans—it’s moody and foggy and that…
Read MoreSlower Growth Projected for Remodeling Into Next Year
According to the Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity (LIRA), annual expenditures for improvements and maintenance to owner-occupied homes are expected to soften in 2026. Under the Remodeling Futures Program at Harvard, the conducted study measured changes in remodel activity across the broad market. Year-over-year spending on home renovation and repair is indicated to increase by just 1.2 percent by the second quarter of 2026. As noted by Chris Herbert, Managing Director of Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies, “federal cuts to incentives for home energy improvements could spur an increase in…
Read MoreResidential Remodelers Outnumber Single-family Builders in the U.S.
The number of residential remodelers in the U.S. hit a record high of 128,187 in 2022, 65% more than the 77,455 residential builders, according to new Census Bureau data. Remodelers have seen much faster growth than builders, rising 25% from 2017 to 2022 and 73% since 2007, while the builder count grew 12% and fell 21% over the same periods. Remodelers made up 62% of all residential construction businesses in 2022, continuing a trend that began after builders last held the majority in 2007. Read More
Read MoreMaine HBA Brings Real-World Training to State’s Future Builders
The Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Maine has teamed up with Sanford Regional Technical Center to give high school students hands-on training in building homes so they can jumpstart careers in the skilled trades. Now in its seventh year, the program has completed five homes, with multiple others underway, and uses materials donated by industry partners while funding future builds through home sales. Students also receive significant support upon graduation, with over $40,000 awarded in scholarships and tools last year to help launch them into the workforce. Read More
Read More