According to the National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) analysis of the Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction, approximately 10% of single-family homes started in 2025 had private wells and 17% relied on individual septic systems. This means that the share of new homes built with individual wells and septic systems increased in 2025 compared to the previous year. Nationally, most new homes were connected to public water systems. However, the remaining 10% used private wells, up one percentage point from the previous year. For sewage disposal, approximately 83% of new single-family…
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Existing home sales see 1.5% boost in September
According to a new release from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), existing home sales saw a slight increase of 1.5% month-over-month in September. Regionally, the West and the South both reported a 2.8% month-over-month increase, while the Midwest remained relatively unchanged and the Northeast decreased 2.1% month-over-month. The median existing home price was $417,500. However, all sales still sit at a 2.2% year-over-year decline. “Despite the small monthly gain on a seasonally adjusted basis, August and September marked the two slowest months for home sales this year,” said NAR…
Read MoreRemodeling market remains stable in Q3
In the third quarter of 2026, the National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) Remodeling Market Index (RMI) posted a reading of 66. This is up one point from the second quarter. Compared to the single-family and multifamily sectors, remodeler sentiment continues to stand out in the residential construction industry, despite economic uncertainty. Remodeling continues to increase in the overall construction market, due to it being less impacted than new construction by elevated interest rates. According to NAHB’s projection, remodeling activity will remain stable through the rest of 2026 and grow…
Read MoreThe silver tsunami could solve nation’s housing inventory
According to the Generational Housing Succession report from Realtor.com, an estimated 13.9 million homes currently occupied by baby boomers and the Silent Generation will be released from owner-occupancy between 2026 and 2036. If 45% of the homes projected to be released in 2027 become for-sale listings, that would be enough to restore annual listings to pre-pandemic levels. This wave is known as the silver tsunami. While the silver tsunami is good news for sidelined homebuyers and for the nation’s housing inventory, the effects will be spread across markets at a…
Read MoreDo homeowners want a two-story foyer?
According to data from the Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction and analyzed by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), in 2025, around a quarter of new homes were built with a two-story foyer. This is up slightly from 2024. However, despite the small increase, the market share of two-story foyers has trended downward since 2017. We recently covered 2025’s trends for the number of bathrooms and bedrooms. This recent analysis from NAHB reveals that most new single-family homes are being built without a two-story foyer, both regionally and nationally.…
Read MoreWhat September’s construction employment means in the Carolinas
According to an analysis by the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) of the Carolinas, construction employment in September 2026 sent a focused message, not a broad-market one. The construction sector added 11,000 jobs last month, matching the industry’s recent pattern of modest but steady hiring. Residential construction growth remained softer, while nonresidential specialty trade contractors added 12,000 jobs. According to Redfin data, in August 2026, home prices in North Carolina were down only a slight 0.41% compared to last year, selling for a median price of $373,465. Meanwhile, in August…
Read MoreRemodel of the Week: TS Renovations
TS Renovations remodeled a detached accessory dwelling unit in Milton, Vt., with two bedrooms, one bathroom and a one-car garage. At 900 square feet, the space now has nine-foot ceilings and abundant natural light, making it feel much larger than it is. The kitchen’s earthy tile walls offset the refined colors of the cabinetry. The cabinets are stacked to the ceiling, supporting daily living by providing ample storage. The quartz island adds a luxurious touch and enlarges the space. Steel appliances offer a sharp contrast to the space’s color palette.…
Read MoreRemodel of the Week: Compelling Homes Remodeling & Design
Compelling Homes Remodeling & Design remodeled this Iowa home’s bathroom into a spa-like treat, down to the heated floors and free-standing tub, contrasted with olive green finishes. The project features a separate wet room with both the tub and a curb-less shower, as well as an elegant arched window with frosted glass. This new design creates ambient natural light while maintaining privacy. The wet room concept is a common design feature in Europe, but is now making its way to the United States’ luxury bathrooms. The builder tiled and waterproofed…
Read MorePrice cuts surge, sidelined buyers emerge
Sellers slashed home prices in September 2026 in response to rising mortgage rates, prompting potential homebuyers to emerge from the sidelines. According to the latest Realtor.com monthly housing market trends report, the share of listings with price cuts exceeded 2025 levels for the first time in 2026, reaching 20.8%, up 0.9 percentage points year over year. This surge in price cuts aligns with broader housing market shifts, such as accelerating inventory growth and decreasing pending home sales. “Demand rarely picks up much this time of year regardless, but the rate environment…
Read MoreFraming lumber prices decrease to $506.76 per 1,000 board feet
According to Madison’s Lumber Price Index, as of Sept. 25, 2026, framing lumber prices decreased to $506.76 per 1,000 board feet, down from the previous week. This price was 1.8% week over week, down 2.8% month over month, but up 4.5% year over year. Softwood lumber prices have been volatile in recent years due to increased demand, rising tariffs, supply-chain bottlenecks and insufficient domestic production. To address the high lumber prices, the National Association of Home Builders has advocated for negotiating a long-term deal with Canada to reduce tariffs and…
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