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Even as demand for new homes fizzles—about a quarter of homebuilders are reducing their prices to attract more buyers as foot traffic falls—single-family construction jumped 3.4% in August, the Commerce Department reported Tuesday. Economists are calling it a “surprising bounce back” after five consecutive months of declines.
Still, builder sentiment fell in September to its lowest level since 2014, according to data from the National Association of Home Builders. Rising mortgage rates, which topped 6% last week, and construction delays due to supply chain disruptions are among builders’ top concerns, the NAHB’s report shows. More than half of builders surveyed say they are using incentives to bolster sales, including offering mortgage rate buydowns, free amenities and price reductions, according to the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index.
Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the National Association of REALTORS®, lays the blame for the new-home market’s slump squarely on mortgage rates. “However, this month’s increase in housing starts implies that builders still see profit opportunities, even as they concede on prices,” Yun says. “Material prices, including for lumber, have been moderating, and fully completed homes are selling fast.” Unfinished homes that remain under construction are the ones sitting on the market for long periods, Yun adds.
The NAHB agrees with Yun’s assessment. “Buyer traffic is weak in many markets as more consumers remain on the sidelines due to high mortgage rates and home prices that are putting a new-home purchase out of financial reach for many households,” says Jerry Konter, the NAHB’s chairman. “In another indicator of weakening market, 24% of builders reported reducing home prices, up 19% last month.”
NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz adds that the “housing recession” shows few signs of abating as builders continue to grapple with elevated construction costs and buyers now face 6% mortgage rates.
Home building permits—a gauge of future construction—fell in August to the slowest pace in more than two years, the Commerce Department reports.
Multifamily Properties Continue to Shine
Meanwhile, multifamily construction climbed to its best monthly performance in 35 years. “Apartment demand has been strong, with rents rising at a historically high pace,” Yun says. “Those consumers unable to qualify for a mortgage at higher interest rates are renewing their rental leases. Job creation is also boosting the rental demand.” Construction on multifamily dwellings surged 28% in August to an annual pace of 640,000 units, the Commerce Department reports.
Still, builders remain worried. The Federal Reserve meets on Wednesday and is expected to raise its benchmark interest rate by another 75 basis points in an effort to tame inflation. Housing analysts are concerned about the further impact that could have on mortgage rates.
However, some economists point to the stubborn housing shortage as a saving grace that could keep the real estate market from a deep downturn. By some estimates, the nation was short about 5 million homes before the onset of the pandemic. “The shortage is not going away soon,” Yun says. “The near-term single-family outlook is complicated due to high mortgage rates. But the long-term outlook for homebuilders is bright due to the need to build more to fully relieve the housing shortage.”
