For the third consecutive month, mortgage loan applications to purchase homes have risen, signaling renewed buyer demand in the housing market. According to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association, total mortgage application volume increased by 0.4 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis, driven largely by a 7 percent surge in purchase applications. Purchase activity now […]
Understanding Negative Equity in Todays Housing Market Home values have been climbing steadily across much of the United States, yet the national negative equity rate has flattened at 16.9 percent, according to Zillow Real Estate Research. That means nearly one in six mortgaged homes remains underwater, with the borrower owing more than the property is
The idea of owning a home has long stood at the center of the American Dream. For generations, the path to homeownership represented stability, prosperity, and a tangible stake in the future. Yet the American Dream then and now looks very different depending on which generation you ask. From the post-wwii housing boom that put
For many home builders and developers, achieving LEED Platinum certification represents the pinnacle of sustainable construction. But for Minneapolis-based affordable housing developer Aeon, reaching that highest tier of green building certification was only the beginning. When the organization calculated the lifetime energy costs its low-income tenants would face even in LEED Platinum-certified buildings, the numbers
Kitchen design continues to evolve as the heart of the modern home, and few design communities offer as much variety as Dallas. From Hacienda Chic warmth to crisp contemporary minimalism, the kitchen styles emerging from Dallas designers provide valuable lessons for home builders nationwide. This article explores eight distinctive kitchen design approaches and the key
For years, economists and industry analysts have pointed to rising home prices as evidence that the housing market has fully recovered from the 2008 financial crisis. But as Fortune magazine argued in a notable assessment, rising prices alone do not constitute a true recovery. Many home builders have experienced this paradox firsthand: home values climb,
Multifamily demand remains strong across US markets, with secondary cities leading vacancy declines. Learn how builders can profit from rising apartment demand through strategic market selection, product design, and financial modeling.
Understanding what drives builder preferences in windows and doors is essential for manufacturers, specifiers, and construction professionals who want to stay competitive in today’s housing market. Recent survey data from builders and architects reveals clear trends in material selection, energy performance requirements, and brand loyalty that directly influence product specification. For professionals involved in selecting
What the Honda Smart House Project Reveals About Energy Monitoring in Homes In Davis, California, an experimental home built by the Honda Motor Company has been quietly gathering data on how a real family uses energy. The Honda Smart House, occupied by Susan O’Hara, Stuart Bennett, and their twin daughters since October 2014, was designed
Understanding the Gap Between Existing Home Sales and New Home Construction The relationship between existing home sales and new home construction offers one of the most revealing indicators of housing market health. When sales of existing homes significantly outpace new home sales, builders face a distinct set of challenges and opportunities. Recent data from the
