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,…
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Outdoor living is a major motivator for renovations
A new survey of current homeowners indicates that outdoor living is a priority in their home renovations. In the study, 83% of homeowners noted that they want these spaces to function as extensions of the home with a lounge or sitting area. Accompanied by this area projects with outdoor kitchens, integrated outdoor lighting and other large projects. Interest in DIY methods are shrinking for these projects and remodelers are taking that increase in business. According to the survey, there is nearly a ten percent increase in hiring activity, from 65%…
Read MoreNew report finds job openings in construction increased
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS), in April, openings for positions in construction increased for the second consecutive month. This aligns with overall economic growth, which saw 7.62 million open positions. In the construction section, employment openings jumped from 234,000 in March to 259,000 in April. Other research from the Associated General Contractors of America reported that year-over-year employment increased in 32 states from April 2025 to April 2026. “The construction job openings rate increased to 3% in April, up from the…
Read MoreNAHB urges Congress to advance housing supply reforms
On May 21, 2026, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Chairman Bill Owens, a home builder and remodeler from Worthington, Ohio, testified before the House Small Business Committee on how small builders can help close the nation’s housing gap. “NAHB estimates the country is facing a structural shortage of about 1.2 million homes,” said Owens. “Small builders are doing all they can to increase housing supply, but they cannot overcome the shortage as long as rising costs and system delays continue to hold back progress.” In his testimony, he…
Read MoreConstruction employment increases in 32 states
Construction employment rose in 32 states from April 2025 to April 2026, according to an analysis of new federal data released by the Associated General Contractors of America on May 22, 2026. Texas added the most construction jobs, adding approximately 18,700 jobs, followed by North Carolina, Ohio, Louisiana, Illinois and Missouri. Louisiana had the largest percentage gain in the span of 12 months. “It’s encouraging to see construction employment increasing in many parts of the country,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. In April 2026, Florida added the most…
Read MoreHomeowners choose remodeling their forever home over moving
Across the nation, more homeowners are embracing the “Forever Renovation,” a continuous cycle of upgrading, adapting, improving and reimagining their homes over time. Real estate expert Philip A. Raices discussed several trends that are driving this transformation in the renovation industry. The biggest reason for the driving change is economic; millions of homeowners have locked in mortgage rates between 2% and 4%. For many families, moving would mean substantially higher monthly payments and higher insurance costs. As a result, homeowners are increasingly choosing to improve their forever home rather than…
Read MoreU.S. home builder sentiment increases in May
Home builder sentiment increased in May across the U.S. This month, the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index rose to 37, up from 34 in April. About 32% of builders cut prices in May as a sale incentive to potential homebuyers. The price cut was down from 36% in April, with an average price reduction of 6%, versus 5% in April. The use of sales incentives was 61% in May, up from 60% in April, the 14th straight month at 60% or higher. The survey’s measure of current…
Read MoreNAHB analyzes renovation spending
A recent analysis from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) examined how remodeling spending varies across household characteristics, including household type, householder age, generational cohort and household income. In 2024, homeowners spent around $670 billion on home remodeling projects. Roughly 20 million households, representing 23% of all owner-occupied households, reported remodeling expenditures during the year. Married-couple households accounted for the majority of remodeling activity in 2024, both in the number of households reporting projects and the highest amount of spending. Around 60% of all households that reported a remodeling…
Read MoreMass timber industry offers jobs and sustainability
Cornell’s Climate Jobs Institute (CJI) produced a primer, “Mass Timber: Advancing Sustainable Construction and High-Quality Job Creation,” and presented it at an event held at the Hyatt Place Albany-Downtown in New York on May 11, 2026. The primer focused on the industry’s ability to produce job growth and provide sustainability in construction. The global mass timber market is projected to grow to over $1.3 billion by 2030, with the U.S. poised to become the world’s fastest-growing mass timber market over the coming decade. “Mass timber is more than an alternative,…
Read MoreNew law speeds up home renovations and repairs in Florida
A new bill signed into law aims to slash local red tape and lower costs for Florida homeowners, in an effort to expedite home renovations and storm repairs. House Bill 803 will introduce sweeping changes to Florida building permit laws, as well as how building permits and inspections are managed across municipalities within the state. The legislation was signed by Governor Ron DeSantis this week after passing both the House and Senate. For residents of Key Biscayne and coastal communities where home renovations and storm repairs are a constant way…
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