Lack of Existing Home Listings Boost Builder Confidence

Lack of Existing Home Listings Boost Builder Confidence

Home builders’ attitudes about the market for newly constructed homes continued to improve in May, partially due to the lack of available pre-owned homes for sale. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) said the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index which measures builder confidence jumped 5 points to 50, the fifth straight month the index has risen. It was also the first time the index has reached the midpoint of the index since July 2022. NAHB’s chief economist Robert Dietz said “New home construction is taking on an increased role in the marketplace because many homeowners with loans well below current mortgage rates are electing to stay put, and this is keeping the supply of existing homes at a very low level. In March, 33 percent of homes listed for sale were ne