REALTORS & HOMEBUILDERS

Trump administration tariff policy led lumber futures prices to surge over the first half of 2025, but the front-loading of purchases led to a current glut.

An atypical summer for home price growth and mortgage rates approaching their lowest point in 12 months could entice sidelined buyers, Cotality said.

The increase represents a spot of good news for homebuilders in a year marked by uncertainty surrounding tariffs and still-challenging interest rate levels.

Homebuilder stocks are headed for their best monthly performance in over a year as the housing market increasingly shows signs of life. 

The median monthly home loan payment fell $45 in July from June, although some of those payments are more expensive compared to the same time last year.

Contract signings on new single-family homes ticked down to a 652,000 annualized rate, with the strongest demand in the West, according to a government report issued Monday.

Borrowers affected by the blazes are also reeling from homeowners insurance woes, contractor shortages and inflation making rebuilding difficult.

Even with direct costs of import taxes excluded, prices for residential construction goods and services increased by the most in two years, NAHB said.

A government-sponsored enterprise and companies that sell them are making modern houses more affordable in line with larger public and private market trends.

The 35% levy on Canadian goods does not include any carve outs for lumber or building supplies, with their costs already rising, Cotality's Selma Hepp said.