Podcast: Builder Sentiment Improves as Congress Looks to Approve Budget
On the latest episode of NAHB’s podcast, Housing Developments, sponsored by LG Pro Builder, CEO Jim Tobin and COO Paul Lopez break down the latest housing numbers, provide insights on the 2024 election, and highlight key congressional funding areas NAHB continues to actively advocate to secure during the ongoing budgeting process.
Watch the latest episode below and subscribe to Housing Developments through your favorite podcast provider.
Latest from NAHBNow
Financing
Oct 15, 2025
Refinancing Activity Surges in SeptemberRefinancing activity surged in September, marking the largest monthly increase since the COVID-era of ultra-low interest rates. This increase followed mortgage rates dropping below 6.5% for the first time since October 2024 in anticipation of the Federal Reserve's eventual September rate cuts.
Trends
Oct 14, 2025
Stucco No Longer Most-Used Exterior Wall MaterialFor the first time since 2018, vinyl siding surpassed stucco as the most used principal exterior wall material. According to the latest annual release of the U.S. Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction (SOC), 26% of homes started in 2024 had vinyl or vinyl-covered aluminum siding as their main exterior wall material.
Latest Economic News
Economics
Oct 14, 2025
Custom Home Building Share Declines in 2024In 2024, 17.5% of all new single-family homes started were custom homes. This share decreased from 18.8% in 2023 and from 20.4% in 2022, according to data tabulated from the Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction (SOC).
Economics
Oct 13, 2025
Hispanics Comprise Nearly One-Third of the Construction Labor ForceDiversifying the construction labor force remains a key priority amid persistent skilled labor shortages. According to the 2023 American Community Survey, non-Hispanic White workers still account for the majority of the construction industry at 57%. Hispanic workers now represent nearly one-third of the labor force at 32%, followed by non-Hispanic Black workers at 5% and non-Hispanic Asian workers at 1.8%.
Economics
Oct 10, 2025
Vinyl Surpasses Stucco as Most Used Principal Exterior Wall MaterialIn 2024, vinyl siding was the most used principal exterior wall material for homes started. It holds just over a quarter share of homes, slightly surpassing stucco for the first time since 2018.