Home Depot announced it will maintain current pricing despite new U.S. tariffs, aiming to avoid passing increased costs onto consumers. However, some products may be discontinued if the added import costs make them unprofitable to stock. The company is mitigating tariff impacts by diversifying its supply chain, reducing reliance on Chinese imports, and sourcing more from North America. In the first quarter, Home Depot reported net sales of $39.86 billion, surpassing estimates, and maintained its 2025 sales growth forecast at 2.8%. Read More
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Framing Lumber Prices
Since May 9, 2025, the framing lumber composite price has fallen to $454 per 1,000 board feet. Softwood lumber prices have been affected due to rising tariffs, an increase in demand, and insufficient domestic production. The NAHB plans to negotiate a long-term deal with Canada to reduce tariffs, increase domestic production, and seek new markets for trading in order for lumber production to start blooming once again. According to NAHB, “Surveys conducted by Home Innovation Research Labs show that the average new single-family home uses more than 2,200 square feet…
Read MoreWhat Are the Highest Paying Jobs in Construction?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) publishes data on approximately 400 occupations in the construction industry. At the top of the list of the highest-paying occupations in construction are managers. In the construction trades, elevator installers and repairers earn over $100,000 annually, followed by first-line supervisors of construction trades, who make over $80,000. According to NAHB, “In 2024, the highest paid occupation in construction is lawyers with wages of $180,520 per year, and the top 25% making over $238,720. Traditionally, Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) occupy…
Read MoreFed Unlikely to Cut Rates for Foreseeable Future
Mortgage rates will remain the same in April, according to inflation data. Persistent tariff-induced inflation pressures suggest that the Federal Reserve will likely pause any rate cuts in the future. There is a significant reduction in U.S.–China tariffs—from 145% to 30% on Chinese imports and 125% to 10% on U.S. goods. Recession risks have diminished, leading to a more optimistic economic outlook. However, inflation concerns persist due to elevated tariff levels, which remain substantially higher than pre-2025 rates, suggesting that the Federal Reserve may delay anticipated rate cuts. According to…
Read MoreThe Homes Americans are Buying are Older Than Ever
The average age of a house in the U.S. is 36 years old, and in 2024, many people leaned towards purchasing an older home. There are two main reasons: lack of new supply and affordability. Over the past two decades, housing construction has significantly slowed, particularly in the East Coast and Rust Belt regions, leading to a median age of sold homes exceeding 60 years in cities like New York, Pittsburgh, and Cleveland. Older homes are more affordable and often sell for 15% less than the median price of all…
Read MoreAging Housing Stock Signals Future Remodeling Market Growth
Around 48% of the United States housing stock dates back to the 1980s and earlier. The median age of owner-occupied homes has rose to 41 years in 2023, up from 31 years in 2005, according to the latest data from the American Community Survey. The U.S. owner-occupied housing stock has aged rapidly particularly, particularly since the Great Recession, as the residential construction continues to fall behind in delivering new homes. According to Eye On Housing, Currently, new home construction faces headwinds such as rising material costs, persistent labor shortage and elevated…
Read MoreHome Additions and Renovations Rise Amid High Interest Rates
Many homeowners are turning to additions and renovations instead of buying and selling as interest rates hold steadily high with home prices still above average compared to before the pandemic. Homeowners are now sitting on “substantial” increases in home equity available to finance renovations, according to interior designer Sharon McCormick of Sharon McCormick Design. “Moving is expensive with Realtor commissions, closing costs, lenders’ fees, appraisals, inspections, title insurance, surveying fees, moving expenses and utility hookups adding up quickly. Uncertainty in the market and rising interest rates also play a role…
Read MoreHouse Prices Reach a New Peak, But Not Everywhere
By Mark Fleming In November 2023, the Real House Price Index (RHPI) leaped 11 percent on an annual basis. Affordability improved modestly on a monthly basis, as mortgage rates fell from the previous month. Two factors drove the sharp annual decline in affordability – a 7.7 percent annual increase in nominal house prices, according to our First American Data & Analytics House Price Index, and a 0.6 percentage point increase in the 30-year, fixed mortgage rate compared with one year ago. For home buyers, holding prices constant, the only way to…
Read MoreFinance is Shaping Homebuilding Today
Resolution and adaptability are key for builders to deliver a much-needed supply of homes By Michael Berke As builders strive to overcome financing obstacles, the challenging environment is fueling clear shifts in the industry. Financing constraints have created disruption and uncertainty for many who fight to commence their projects. Simultaneously, the desire for homeownership remains strong and supply is short. The effort for builders and developers to fill their capital stack has become burdensome. Those projects that still make sense find their home prices increasing to maintain margins. Many fully…
Read More2024 Housing Market Outlook
Though things are looking up, it’s not too hot, not too cold, but not quite right either By Mark Fleming The housing market has been on quite the roller coaster ride since the beginning of the pandemic. While it was strong before 2020, the onset of the pandemic and the societal changes it triggered redefined the role of a home. As work-from-home became the new normal, a house was no longer just a dwelling or a vehicle for wealth creation, but also an office, a classroom, a daycare and even…
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