Prospective Buyers Continue to Turn into Active Buyers
Of the 17% of American adults who were considering a future home purchase in the second quarter of 2021, more than half (61%) have moved beyond just planning and are now actively trying to buy.
This share of active buyers has increased for six straight quarters, a trend that began after the final quarter of 2019 when it stood at 43%.
In the past year and a half, several factors have contributed to turning more prospective buyers into active ones, namely: low mortgage rates, desire for more space and desire for a new location in the suburbs/exurbs.
Furthermore, the share of prospective buyers who are actively searching for a home has grown in every region of the U.S. From the final quarter of 2019 to the second quarter of 2021, the share went from 46% to 66% in the Northeast, 40% to 50% in the Midwest, 43% to 58% in the South and 40% to 72% in the West.
Rose Quint, NAHB assistant vice president for survey research, provides more insight in this Eye on Housing blog post.
Latest from NAHBNow
Jun 18, 2025
Podcast: Mid-Year Update on Economic Indicators and Advocacy PrioritiesOn the latest episode of NAHB’s podcast, Housing Developments, COO Paul Lopez welcomes NAHB Chief Economist Dr. Robert Dietz and Chief Advocacy Officer Ken Wingert for a mid-year check in on key economic indicators and NAHB policy priorities driving home building for the rest of 2025.
Jun 18, 2025
Sharp Drop in Multifamily Production Brings Overall Housing Starts DownOverall housing starts decreased 9.8% in May to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.26 million units, according to a report from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau.
Latest Economic News
Jun 18, 2025
Sharp Drop in Multifamily Production Brings Overall Housing Starts DownA sharp decline in multifamily production pushed overall housing starts down in May, while single-family output was essentially flat due to economic and tariff uncertainty along with elevated interest rates.
Jun 17, 2025
Builder Sentiment at Third Lowest Reading Since 2012In a further sign of declining builder sentiment, the use of price incentives increased sharply in June as the housing market continues to soften.
Jun 16, 2025
Permit Activity Weakens in April 2025Housing permits continued a downhill trend for the fourth month in a row, pointing to a broader residential construction slowdown for 2025. Over the first four months of 2025, the total number of single-family permits issued year-to-date (YTD) nationwide reached 320,259.