According to Madison’s Lumber Price Index, the price of framing lumber was unchanged from the previous week. As of Aug. 7, 2026, prices held at $558.19 per 1,000 board feet. Key factors influencing prices include increased demand, rising tariffs, supply chain bottlenecks and insufficient domestic production. According to the National Association of Home Builders, changes in softwood lumber prices directly impact the price of a new home. This, along with rising wages for construction workers and higher interest rates, is one of the reasons the housing market is experiencing declining…
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Existing home sales 0.7% higher than last year
According to the National Association of Realtors, on a year-over-year basis, existing home sales were 0.7% higher than last year. However, total existing home sales, including single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops, fell 1.7% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.06 million in July 2026. The July median sales price of all existing homes was $434,100, up 2.0% from last year. This marks the 37th consecutive month of year-over-year increases. Existing home sales in July were mixed across the four major regions: Sales fell in the South and Midwest,…
Read MoreCalifornia, Texas and Florida drive remodeling activity
According to first-quarter results from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) State Projections of Remodeling (SPR), three states account for the largest shares of remodeling activity across the nation: California, Texas and Florida. In the first quarter of 2026, California led remodeling activity, accounting for 8% of the market at $22.2 billion. Texas followed close behind at $20.2 billion, or 7.3%, followed by Florida at $15.4 billion, or 5.5%. For market growth, the SPR identified five states as having the largest increases in remodeling spending in the first quarter:…
Read MoreGrowth pocket emerges in Florida’s home construction
According to the latest HBW Building Activity Trend Report, Florida’s home construction activity continued to ease during the first half of 2026, although several regions and counties posted gains that ran counter to the statewide trend. HBW, a DeBary-based building permit data company, recorded 51,444 residential construction permits statewide through the second quarter, down 7% from the same period in 2025, following a 4% annual decline in 2025. The report noted that mid‑year figures can be notoriously misleading, as Q2 is often too early to declare victory or defeat, so…
Read MoreMedian lot value cools off
A new analysis from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) reported that the national median lot value declined in 2025. As the first barrier to building spec homes, the estimated 4% decrease is a positive trend for builders. While this data varies based on region, the Northeast and West reported record highs and a trend towards smaller lots. Builder concerns over lot shortages decreased since 2021, when it hit an all-time low. “According to the May 2025 NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) survey, 64% of builders rated the…
Read MoreRenovations drive small-town construction activity
Construction activity accelerated in Andover, Mass., during the first six months of 2026, primarily driven by renovations, roofing, insulation and home improvements. The town’s permit records show homeowners continued investing heavily in existing properties. Roof replacements, insulation and air-sealing projects, general alterations, kitchen and bathroom renovations, as well as window and door replacements accounted for much of the permit activity during the first half of the year. Roofing permits rose significantly from last year, while permits for insulation and energy-efficiency improvements also increased, suggesting homeowners continue to invest in maintaining…
Read MoreRemodel of the Week: Normandy
For this new traditional kitchen remodel in Winnetka, Ill., Normandy focused on expanding the layout and modernizing the design. The new, expanded kitchen island serves as a central hub, while the new adjacent lounge was designed for comfortable, impromptu gatherings in the home. Gentle gray tones mixed with white cabinetry keep the palette light yet interesting, adhering to the modern contemporary design. Blue-gray quartzite countertops and a full-height backsplash, along with warm mixed metals, add a quiet luxury to the space. Oversized hardware and a custom hutch with antique-mirror panes…
Read MoreBathroom renovations focus on practicality over aesthetic trends
In 2026, the most useful bathroom design trends are moving away from showroom-inspired looks and toward spaces that feel calm and organized. Rather than chasing short-term design trends, homeowners are prioritizing improvements embedded in personalization and practicality for their daily routines. That means choosing finishes that hold up, layouts that improve traffic flow and details that still look intentional years after installation. In primary suites, larger, more functional showers continue to lead bathroom remodeling decisions. Curbless showers create a cleaner visual line and can make a bathroom feel larger. They…
Read MoreRemodeling spending outpaces the rest of residential construction
New data from the U.S. Census Bureau indicated that private residential spending decreased by 0.03% in June. Remodeling and home improvement was the only sector to increase in June, but only by 0.01%. In May, the remodeling sector contributed to the overall bump in construction spending. It was then revised to a 0.4% decline. Compared to a year ago, private spending for remodeling is down 7.2%. Despite the decrease, overall sentiment for remodeling remains positive with continued demand. “In contrast, improvement spending has been on an upward trend since 2023, supported…
Read MoreExisting home sales rise in metro markets
According to the National Association of REALTORS’ latest quarterly report, home prices rose in 80% of metro markets during the second quarter of 2026. The report also showed the national median single-family existing-home price rose 1.5% year-over-year to $434,900, up from 0.5% annual growth in the first quarter. “Home sales increased despite mortgage rates rising. This testifies to the potential housing demand building up from steady job and income gains,” said NAR Chief Economist Dr. Lawrence Yun. “Sales rose in three of the four major regions, with the South leading…
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