August brings 3-point gain in builder confidence

The National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) registered a three-point gain in builder confidence in August. The metric, which indicates builder sentiment toward new single-family homes, rose to an eight-year record of 59.

Two of the HMI's three components were buoyed by this positive momentum. Sentiment toward current sales conditions also went up three points to 62, with sales expectations for the next six months up a point to 68. Sentiment toward the traffic of prospective buyers was unchanged at 45.

“Builders are seeing more motivated buyers walk through their doors than they have in quite some time,” said NAHB chairman Rick Judson, a home builder from Charlotte, N.C. “What’s more, firming home prices and thinning inventories of homes for sale are contributing to an increased sense of urgency among those who are in the market.”

NAHB chief economist David Crowe pointed out that the momentum sparked by this increased demand is slightly hampered by tight credit and insufficient supply.