Builder Confidence on the Rise – NMP Skip to main content

Builder Confidence on the Rise

Jan 17, 2019
Builder confidence in the newly-built single-family homes started 2019 on a positive note

Builder confidence in the newly-built single-family homes started 2019 on a positive note, rising two points to 58 for January on the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI).
 
All the HMI indices were on the rise for this month: The index measuring current sales conditions inched up two points to 63, the component gauging expectations in the next six months rose by three points to 64 and the metric charting buyer traffic had a one-point uptick to 44. Looking at the three-month moving averages for regional HMI scores, the Northeast dropped five points to 45 while the Midwest and South both fell three points to 52 and 62, respectively, only and the West took a one-point drop to 67.
 
The NAHB noted that the partial federal shutdown cancelled the scheduled release of U.S. Census Bureau statistics on housing starts and permits, but the trade group estimated that the data would have shown single-family starts ended 2018 totaling 876,000 units, a 3 percent gain over the 2017 total of 848,900. However, the slowing of sales during the fourth quarter left new home inventories elevated in some markets.
 
“Builders need to continue to manage rising construction costs to keep home prices affordable, particularly for young buyers at the entry-level of the market,” said NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz. “Lower interest rates that peaked around five percent in mid-November and have since fallen to just below 4.5 percent will help the housing market continue to grow at a modest clip as we enter the new year.”

 
About the author
Published
Jan 17, 2019
The Fed Held. The Mortgage Market Got A Warning.

Three policymakers favored an immediate hike, while Warsh welcomed higher bond yields and offered no clear path toward mortgage-rate relief

Jul 30, 2026
New Study Finds UWM's 'All-In' Triggered Industrywide Pricing Spillovers

Research shows wholesale competitors responded to the 2021 Rocket ban by lowering mortgage rates,

Jul 15, 2026
First Major Housing Reform In Decades Becomes Law Without Trump's Signature

Bipartisan ROAD to Housing Act advances supply, construction, and mortgage reforms despite White House protest

Jul 10, 2026
Mortgage Star Conference Honors Women Shaping The Future Of Mortgage Leadership

MWLC honors leaders driving innovation, mentorship, and growth across the mortgage industry

Jul 09, 2026
June Jobs Report Improves Mortgage Rate Outlook

Slower hiring strengthens bonds and eases concerns over additional Fed tightening

Jul 02, 2026
NEXA Founder Mike Kortas Launches evoLend To Help Originators Retain Borrowers

New Fannie Mae-, Freddie Mac- and Ginnie Mae-approved mortgage servicer aims to keep originators connected to borrowers through servicing data, payoff visibility and retention tools

Jul 02, 2026