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.

The battle between the industry giants over exclusive listings is the latest tussle in the space beset by infighting following last year's major rule changes.

Contract signings on new single-family homes increased 0.6% to an annualized rate of 627,000 last month, according to government data released Thursday.

Choppy market conditions, including mortgage rates which remain elevated, had an impact on profitability at four of the nation's homebuilders in the quarter.

Real estate agents add that they are integrating AI in their daily work, with many using it for marketing and communications.

A labor shortage is costing the market tens of thousands of new homes per year, and tariff uncertainty is adding thousands of dollars in expenses per unit.

The market for buy-before-you-sell financing Flyhomes helped pioneer has developed to include new entrants, but it also is seeing sluggish buyer demand.

Despite the average windfall for homeowners, some feel like they missed a prime selling window, and buyers must still overcome steep unaffordability.

Home sellers, no longer required to pay the buyer's representative after major rule changes last year, are still covering the costs as concessions.

Confidence among US homebuilders fell to the lowest level since December 2022 in June, with potential buyers deterred by high mortgage rates and anxiety about tariffs and the economy. 

Housing permits fell for the fourth consecutive month as builders pull back on construction amid high costs and uncertain demand.