NAHB Podcast: Election 2024 Predictions, and Housing Data Weighs on Builders
On the latest episode of NAHB’s podcast, Housing Developments, CEO Jim Tobin and COO Paul Lopez discuss the latest economic news and political events.
Earlier this week, President Biden proposed a two-year provision that would require housing providers with 50+ existing units to choose to either cap annual rent increases at 5% or lose accelerated depreciation.
“Rent control is as lazy a policy as you're going to find. If you truly care about lowering costs for renters, put more supply in the marketplace,” Tobin stated. “Rent control doesn't work. I don't care what side of the aisle you're on.”
“I guarantee you that the stakeholder community in town is bound together on this, and we're going to make sure that Congress — this never sees the light of day. This is just electioneering politics,” he added.
NAHB Chairman Carl Harris and First Vice Chairman Buddy Hughes attended the Republican National Convention this week, which included the announcement of former President Trump’s vice presidential candidate, Sen. J.D. Vance from Ohio. Tobin and Lopez also discuss what could happen ahead of the Democratic National Convention next month — which Harris and Hughes will also attend — in terms of President Biden’s candidacy and expectations for this election cycle.
Tobin and Lopez also touch on the last economic data in the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI), which continues to be low as interest rates remain high. But in terms of forecasts, builders are starting to become more optimistic.
“I think the second half of this year — certainly moving into 2025 — there’s a lot of reasons to be optimistic,” Tobin stated. “But we were optimistic six months ago, right? So again, cautious optimism, but feeling better after these last couple months.”
Listen to the full episode below, and subscribe to Housing Development through your favorite podcast provider or watch all the episodes on YouTube.
Latest from NAHBNow
Construction Costs | Material Costs
Dec 23, 2025
Lumber Capacity Has Peaked for 2025An annual revision to the Federal Reserve G.17 Industrial Production report shows current sawmill production levels above 2017 by 7.5%, but just 0.3% above 2023 levels.
Building Systems Councils
Dec 22, 2025
Can Offsite Housing Solve the Housing Affordability Crisis?Offsite construction – a method in which components are planned, designed, fabricated in a factory setting and then transported and assembled onsite – is something more community-based organizations (CBOs) are turning to as a solution to the housing affordability crisis.
Latest Economic News
Economics
Dec 19, 2025
Existing Home Sales Edge Higher in NovemberExisting home sales rose for the third consecutive month in November as lower mortgage rates continued to boost home sales, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). However, the increase remained modest as mortgage rates still stayed above 6% while down from recent highs. The weakening job market also weighed on buyer activity.
Economics
Dec 18, 2025
Lumber Capacity Lower Midway Through 2025Sawmill production has remained essentially flat over the past two years, according to the Federal Reserve G.17 Industrial Production report. This most recent data release contained an annual revision, which resulted in higher estimates for both production and capacity in U.S. sawmills.
Economics
Dec 18, 2025
Inflation Slows in November (with a Caveat)Inflation unexpectedly eased in November, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) latest report. This data release was originally scheduled for December 10 but was delayed due to the recent government shutdown.