James Whitener

Arizona Loan Officer

  • Home
  • About
    • About James
    • Accessibility Statement
  • Reviews
    • Read My Reviews
    • Leave a Review
  • Blog
  • Resources
    • Mortgage Calculator
    • Closing Costs
    • Home Appraisal
    • Home Inspection
    • Loan Checklist
    • Loan Process
    • Loan Programs
    • Mortgage FAQ
    • Mortgage Glossary
  • Apply Now
  • Partners
  • My App
  • Contact
Real Estate Podcast: BREAK IT DOWN WITH BRAYDON

Check out my podcast episode with BreakItDown — the Arizona #1 Real Estate podcast about everything real estate in The Valley!

NAHB: Builder Confidence in Housing Market Ticks Up in October

October 23, 2018 by James Whitener

NAHB Builder Confidence in Housing Market Ticks Up in OctoberHome builder confidence in national housing market conditions rose one index point for a reading of 68 in October. Readings over 50 indicate that most builders are confident about market conditions. Rolling three-month averages showed mixed results. The Northeastern region gained three points for an index reading of 57; the Midwestern region lost two index points with a reading of 57 and the Southern region posted a gain of one point with a reading of 70. The Western region held steady at 74.

Readings for sub-categories of the Housing Market index showed a one-point gain to 74 for current market conditions, Builder confidence in market conditions over the next six months also gained one point for a reading of 75 index points. Builder confidence in buyer traffic rose four points to 53. This was remarkable as historical readings for buyer traffic rarely rose above the benchmark reading of 50.

Demand for Homes Rises

The National Association of Home Builders reported that demand for homes increased regardless of high home prices, rising mortgage rates and low inventories of available homes. Labor shortages and high cost of buildable lots continued to weigh on builder confidence. Analyst predictions that home prices have peaked did not impact October’s builder confidence readings.

Home Builders Look Toward Affordable Housing

When the current housing boom started, builders concentrated on building high-end homes as cash buyers and investors fueled demand. Home prices rose quickly as inventories of homes for sale dwindled; first-time and moderate-income home buyers were sidelined as affordable homes were quickly snapped up. Strict mortgage qualification requirements presented challenges to buyers with credit problems. Consumers struggle with home price growth that exceeds inflation and wage increases.

As analysts report that home prices may have hit their peak the highest reading for builder confidence in recent months was 74 in December 2017. Slowing increases in home prices have signaled builders that favorable housing market conditions may have reached a tipping point. If another recession occurs, those who bought their homes at the top of the market and who have little equity are most at risk. Analysts cited high priced coastal areas as ripe for this risk. Meanwhile, builders are looking to create more affordable housing in response to signals of slowing growth in residential real estate markets.

Contact your trusted mortgage professional to find out about about the market trends specific to your area and how those conditions may impact your financing options.

Filed Under: Real Estate Tagged With: Builder Confidence, Market Conditions, Market Trends

James Whitener

Contact James


Loan Officer
CALL 602.622.6514
Fairway Independent Mortgage Corp
James Whitener NMLS #1648336
AZ License #LO - 0943535
Company NMLS #2289 | AZ License #BK-0904162

Sterling
GET A RATE QUOTE
DOWNLOAD MY APP

Let’s Keep In Touch!

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

  • Home
  • About
  • Reviews
  • Blog
  • Resources
  • Apply Now
  • Partners
  • My App
  • Contact
Equal Housing Lender

NMLS Consumer Access
James Whitener – Loan Officer
20359 N. 59th Ave, Suite 100
Glendale, AZ 85308
602-622-6514 | James.Whitener@FairwayMC.com

NMLS # 1648336 | AZ License #LO – 0943535
Company NMLS #2289
Privacy Policy | Terms of Use

Complaints may be directed to: (877) 699-0353 or Email us: customerservice@fairwaymc.com.
The content on this website is written by James and reflects his opinion, and not the opinion of Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation.

Return to top of page

Copyright © 2023 James Whitener. All rights reserved.   Log In