According to Realtor.com’s 2026 Housing Forecast Midyear Update, existing-home sales are expected to total 4.10 million as year-over-year growth improves in the second half of the year. Existing-home sales steadied in April before climbing in May. Year-to-date, existing-home sales are currently just 0.2% ahead of their prior year pace. The report expects growth to pick up in the second half of 2026, though by less than originally forecasted. As a result, existing-home sales are expected to grow 1.0% to an annual total of 4.10 million. The May existing-home sales data…
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Construction job openings increase
According to a new survey from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of open positions in the construction sector increased in May 2026. The number of open jobs for the overall economy fell flat in May, remaining near 7.59 million. The May reading was also measurably higher compared to a year ago, at 7.31 million. The recent increase in job openings for the overall economy indicates that the labor market is holding steady. The construction job openings rate increased to 3.5% in May, up from the 2.6% rate estimated…
Read MoreExisting home sales rise to a 5-month high
According to the S&P Cotality Case-Shiller Home Price Index, existing home sales rose 3.2% in May to a five-month high of 4.17 million. The spring selling season initially started slowly before gaining traction towards the end. Chicago continued to lead in existing home sales, followed by New York City and Cleveland. Meanwhile, pending home sales climbed 3.8% with a 4.8% year-over-year gain. Looking ahead, mortgage rates have hovered near 6.5% for six consecutive weeks, pushed higher by renewed inflation concerns and elevated energy prices. At the same time, listing prices…
Read MoreJobs-to-permits ratio highlights housing gap
A new analysis from the National Association of Home Builders analyzed the jobs-to-permits ratio. The analysis used net new jobs created in 2024 and measured against housing permits issued in 2023 to gauge the typical time required for permitted units to move through the construction pipeline and reach the market. Using this framework, the analysis revealed that the U.S. economy added approximately 1.8 million net new jobs in 2024 relative to 2023, while total housing permits issued in 2023 reached 1.51 million units. This results in an overall jobs-to-permits ratio…
Read MoreWhat contractors need to know about the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act
The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, a major bipartisan housing reform package, inches closer to passing with many reforms. The most important part of the bill for remodelers is in Sec. 202- The Whole-Home Repairs Act. This would create a pilot program through 2031 at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to administer grants and forgivable loans for a whole-home repairs program. This program aims to repair the nation’s aging housing stock. Currently, the median age of owner-occupied homes is 42 years old. While specific funding amounts…
Read MoreExisting home sales expected to increase
The National Association of REALTORS (NAR) Chief Economist Dr. Lawrence Yun reported that home sales are expected to be modestly better in the second half of 2026, while NAR’s current forecast calls for existing-home sales to rise 4% this year. Meanwhile, mortgage rates are projected to average 6.5% in 2026. Yun added that housing wealth accumulation will continue in 2026, with the typical homeowner gaining approximately $16,000 in wealth this year. Despite headwinds in the housing market, Yun said the U.S. economy will avoid a recession in 2026. Dr. Jessica Lautz,…
Read MoreResidential building material prices increase
Wholesale prices of materials used in residential construction increased in May 2026, a direct result of rising energy costs. Residential building material prices rose at their highest yearly rate since January 2023, as prices were up 4.4% from 2025 and up 0.7% over May. The price index for inputs to new residential construction rose 1.3% in May and was up 6.9% from last year. The price of goods used in new residential construction, including energy, was up 2.1% over the month and up 8.3% from last year, while the price…
Read MoreHousing advocates urge Congress to address affordability
On June 10, 2026, more than 1,100 builders, remodelers and other housing industry professionals went to Capitol Hill to call for congressional action. Attendees urged Congress to improve affordability and help builders to increase the production of affordable, attainable homes. In more than 300 meetings with lawmakers, housing advocates focused on the following priorities aimed at improving affordability and increasing supply: landmark housing legislation, workforce development and immigration and permitting obstacles. “Members of the housing community from across the country are in Washington for the National Association of Home Builders…
Read MoreExisting home prices outpace new-builds
According to new analysis from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), an unusual trend continues to emerge in the housing market: new homes are less expensive than existing ones. While only a small gap, Q1 2026 reported the median price for  a new single-family home was $403,200, compared to an existing home at  $404,600. The relationship switched in the post-pandemic market with slow construction for new-builds and pandemic purchasers holding on to their low mortgage rates. Although, there are extreme regional pricing gaps across the U.S. In the South,…
Read MoreBuilding materials see price increase
According to the most recent Producer Price Index (PPI), prices of building materials used in residential construction were up 3.7% in April. Soaring energy prices caused a spike in the overall April PPI reading to 6% compared to last year. Including energy, the price index for inputs to new residential construction was up 5.9% from last year, with the price of goods used in new residential construction up 6.1% from last year. Among input goods, the largest year-over-year increase was for No. 2 diesel fuel as prices were 74.4% higher than…
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