Builder confidence rises to pre-pandemic levels

Builder sentiment is on the rise again for July.

And the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) says its a sign that the housing market is ready to lead a post-COVID economic recovery.

Builder confidence in the market for newly-built single-family homes jumped 14 points to 72 in July, according to the latest NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) released today. 

The HMI now stands at the solid pre-pandemic reading in March before the outbreak affected much of the nation, the NAHB said.

“Builders are seeing strong traffic and lots of interest in new construction as existing home inventory remains lean,” said NAHB Chairman Chuck Fowke.  “Moreover, builders in the Northeast and the Midwest are benefiting from demand that was sidelined during lockdowns in the spring. Low interest rates are also fueling demand, and we expect housing to lead an overall economic recovery.”

“While the housing market is clearly rebounding, challenges exist,” said NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz. “Lumber prices are at a two-year high and builders are reporting rising costs for other building materials while lot and skilled labor availability issues persist. Nonetheless, the important story of the changing geography of housing demand is benefiting new construction.”

The HMI index gauging current sales conditions jumped 16 points to 79, the component measuring sales expectations in the next six months rose seven points to 75, and the measure charting traffic of prospective buyers posted a 15-point gain to 58.

Looking at the monthly average regional HMI scores, the Northeast surged 22 points to 70, the Midwest jumped 18 points to 68, the South increased 10 points to 73 and the West increased 14 points to 80.

Exiting cities and a move toward continued telecommuting is on the minds of homebuyers, according to the NAHB. 

“New home demand is improving in lower density markets, including small metro areas, rural markets and large metro exurbs, as people seek out larger homes and anticipate more flexibility for telework in the years ahead,” Dietz said. “Flight to the suburbs is real.”

The June 2020 New Residential Construction report is scheduled to be released tomorrow.