Brad Hunter, chief economist and director of consulting for Hanley Wood's Metrostudy unit, has a take on the 2013 wrap-up for new home and lot absorption trends that redounds directly to what builders and developers need to put in place for this year and next. Check it out. More
Here are five must-address pieces that should inform what home building executives... More
Here's Hanley Wood chief economist Jonathan Smoke's take on this morning's new-home sales data release from the U.S. Commerce Department. It's a dive below the headlines, beyond the government data gatherers, into the actual trenches where we can tell you what's going on. More
Metrostudy chief economist and director of consulting services Brad Hunter... More
When a home building company sees a sudden spike in the number of competitive shoppers wandering around their new model markets, it's a sure sign that a new design has taken hold. In Texas, which is a housing market arena unto itself these days, just such a design "tipping point" has occurred. It's all about Modern Hill Country design, which disrupts traditional Texas rococo extravagance with simpler, elegant lines in classically warm materials. And it's catching on fast among Texas production home builders. BIG BUILDER's John McManus has insight into the design style's genesis and trajectory. More
Hanley Wood chief economist Jonathan Smoke pulls up real data on local traffic rates and community sales for commentary on yesterday's new-home sales release from the Commerce Department. Smoke is fired-up about all the noise and misreads drawn from the national macro data prints. More
Advances are happening in technology, but research scientist Andrew McAfee says computers and robots haven't replaced humans on jobsites—yet. More
Starts, however, did poorly, led by a significant drop in single-family. More
Home builders were ebullient about sales prospects in July. More
Understanding customer preferences was key to growth last year, say builders. More
