Podcast: Has the Housing Upturn Begun?
In the latest episode of the Housing Developments podcast, NAHB CEO Jim Tobin and SVP Paul Lopez discuss two positive economic indices released this week: housing starts had a huge jump in May and builder confidence is in positive territory for the first time in 11 months. The co-hosts discuss the reality that these developments represent, including what this means for the inflationary environment in advance of Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell’s testimony on Capitol Hill.
Listen to Housing Developments wherever you get your podcasts, or watch a video of the full episode below.
Editor’s note: Find more in-depth analyses on starts and builder sentiment data on NAHB’s economics blog, Eye on Housing.
Latest from NAHBNow
Economics
Nov 05, 2026
Multifamily Developer Confidence Weakens in Third Quarter
Confidence in the market for new multifamily housing weakened year-over-year in the third quarter, according to the Multifamily Market Survey (MMS) released today by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). The MMS produces two separate indices. The Multifamily Production Index (MPI) had a reading of 41, down five points year-over-year, while the Multifamily Occupancy Index (MOI) had a reading of 69, also down five points year-over-year.
Advocacy
Nov 04, 2026
Podcast: What the Blue Wave May Mean for Housing
On the latest episode of NAHB’s podcast, Housing Developments, CEO Jim Tobin and COO Paul Lopez are joined by Chief Advocacy Officer Ken Wingert to discuss the immediate aftermath of the midterm elections.
Latest Economic News
Economics
Nov 04, 2026
Mortgage Applications Decline as Higher Rates Boost ARM Share
Mortgage application activity declined in October as the 30-year fixed mortgage rate rose sharply again. The Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Market Composite Index, a measure of total mortgage application volume, fell 14.1% month-over-month in October on a seasonally adjusted basis. Compared to a year ago, total mortgage applications were 39.8% lower.
Economics
Nov 04, 2026
Laundry Room Locations in New Homes and Apartments, 2025
In 2025, the majority of homes started featured laundry connections on the first floor (70%), according to the Census’s Survey of Construction. Laundry located on the second floor or higher was the second most prevalent at 27%. The basement, garage, and other locations all had a 1% or lower share.
Economics
Nov 03, 2026
Mortgage Rates Climb in October Amid Accelerating Inflation
Mortgage rates rose sharply again in October as the U.S. treasury yields surged. According to Freddie Mac, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 7.33% in October, up 47 basis points (bps) from September. The rate reached 7.40% in early October, its highest level since 2023, before easing toward the end of the month.