In 2011, the United States housing industry reached a milestone no builder wanted to see. According to Census Bureau data compiled by housing blog Calculated Risk, just 631,200 homes were completed nationwide – the lowest number on record since modern data collection began. To put this in perspective, completions had peaked at more than 2 […]

Worker misclassification has emerged as one of the most persistent compliance challenges facing the residential construction industry. When construction employers classify employees as independent contractors or pay workers off the books, they avoid payroll taxes, workers’ compensation premiums, and unemployment insurance contributions. A Tennessee task force recently recommended stiffer penalties for companies found to be

Understanding New Home Sales Trends: A Builder Guide to Navigating the Housing Market and Maximizing Sales Performance The housing market remains one of the most dynamic sectors in the construction industry, with new home sales serving as a critical barometer of economic health and consumer confidence. For professional builders and developers, understanding the factors that

The federal Real Estate-Owned (REO) Initiative program has emerged as a significant mechanism in the housing market, offering home builders a unique pathway to participate in the conversion of foreclosed properties into rental housing. Originally conceived as a response to the foreclosure crisis that peaked between 2008 and 2012, this program continues to shape how

The Federal Housing Finance Agency Real Estate-Owned rental initiative marked a significant shift in how the housing market handled the wave of foreclosures that followed the 2008 financial crisis. By turning foreclosed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac properties into rental housing, the program created new opportunities for home builders and investors while helping stabilize distressed

Three Policy Moves That Could Revive the Residential Housing Market The housing market has long been the engine of the American economy, yet recovery cycles often leave builders, buyers, and policymakers searching for effective levers to pull. John K. McIlwain of the Urban Land Institute has outlined three specific policy steps that could meaningfully accelerate

When Forestar Land Partners, a joint venture between the owners of Foremost Communities and an affiliate of Starwood Capital Group Global, acquired the final 300-acre parcel at the western edge of Corona, California through a public auction, it marked the closing chapter of a long-running master planned community development story. The acquisition represented more than

When a well-established home builder rebrands, the decision signals more than a new logo and website. It reflects a strategic shift in how the company views its market position, its customer base, and its future direction. Avatar Holdings, a prominent active adult community builder operating primarily in Florida and Arizona, recently unveiled a new identity,

Existing home sales rose again in January 2025, marking the third gain in the past four months, while housing supply is shrinking and what home builders can do to respond remains the central question for the industry. According to data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), total existing-home sales increased 4.3 percent to a

Former Federal Reserve Chair Ben Bernanke has called for expanded lending to real estate investors, arguing that institutional and individual investors play a vital role in the housing ecosystem. His remarks, delivered at a housing policy forum, have sparked a critical conversation within the home building industry about how investor activity affects construction volumes, pricing