NAHB Now
- Fewer Ladders, Faster Inspections: Why Builders Are Turning to DronesWith rising material costs and lingering labor shortages, builders need to keep projects on schedule and on budget now more than ever. Drone as a Service can help, delivering next-generation aerial data insights to builders, without needing to purchase drones, hire pilots, or navigate regulatory approvals.
- NAHB Names Alison Benson as its New Chief Financial Officer and TreasurerNAHB has promoted Alison Benson, CPA, to chief financial officer and treasurer. Benson brings more than two decades of accounting, financial planning and nonprofit financial management experience to the role. She joined NAHB in February 2026 as vice president, controller, and also served as interim treasurer.
- How Project Managers Can Effectively Set Expectations to Find SuccessHone your management skills in an upcoming Nov. 12 live online course titled “Project Controls Fundamentals: Monitoring Scope, Cost and Time” from 1-4 p.m. ET.
- What a Building Code Study Gets Wrong About Housing AffordabilityA working paper from researchers at the University of Alabama concludes that when a jurisdiction adopts new residential building codes, it has no effect on the sales prices of homes. But a close technical review reveals that the study’s policy conclusions go well beyond what its analysis can establish.
- Legal Action Committee Awards Nearly $100,000 in Legal Support Grants at FLMAt its recent meeting during the NAHB Fall Leadership Meetings, the NAHB Legal Action Committee reviewed seven requests for Legal Action Fund assistance and recommended assistance in six.
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Eye On Housing
- PCE Inflation Accelerated in SeptemberThe Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge accelerated in September after holding at 3.0% for three consecutive months, complicating the Fed’s path to its 2% target. Consumer spending continued to be pushed up by elevated energy prices rather than income growth, driving the personal saving rate to the lowest level in nearly four years. The headline […]
- U.S. Economy Accelerated in the Third Quarter of 2026The U.S. economy grew at a faster pace in the third quarter of 2026, supported by stronger consumer spending, robust business investment, and increased government spending. However, residential investment remained a weak spot, highlighting the continued challenges facing the housing sector amid elevated borrowing costs. According to the “advance” estimate released by the Bureau of […]
- Homeownership Rate Rises to 65.5%The latest homeownership rate reached 65.5% in the third quarter of 2026, according to the Census’s Housing Vacancy Survey (HVS). While this was a modest quarterly decrease, the broader picture continues to reflect significant affordability challenges. With mortgage interest rates remaining elevated, and housing supply still tight, housing affordability is at a multidecade low. Compared […]
- Fed Holds Rates, With Two Votes for Another HikeThe Federal Reserve maintained the federal funds rate at a target range of 3.75% to 4% at the conclusion of its October policy meeting. Approved by a 10–2 vote, the decision followed September’s quarter-point increase. Federal Open Market Committee members Lisa Cook and Beth Hammack dissented, supporting another 25-basis-point increase for October. The Federal Open […]
- Affordability Challenges Push New Home Sales LowerHigh mortgage rates and economic uncertainty continued to keep potential home buyers on the sidelines and constrain new home sales in September. New home sales declined from August and remained below year-ago levels, with year-to-date sales also lagging for 2025. Although builders have increasingly adjusted prices and offered incentives to attract buyers, elevated mortgage rates […]
