Podcast: Housing Data Points to a Good Year for Builders in 2025
In the latest episode of NAHB’s podcast, Housing Developments, CEO Jim Tobin and COO Paul Lopez discuss the latest economic data, what to expect in the year ahead and the transition to the Trump administration.
NAHB recently met with the Trump transition team to discuss our priorities and key housing issues, and how we can work with the new administration to help solve these issues. With housing as a key component of President-elect Trump’s economic plan, there is an opportunity to help remove roadblocks to increasing housing production.
“There are a lot of things out there that we’ve got our target on,” Tobin shared. “But first and foremost with the incoming administration, let’s start with lowering the temperature on regulations.”
NAHB also plans to fully engage with the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), co-chaired by Tesla CEO Elon Musk and former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy.
“There’s a lot for us as an NAHB staff team and the NAHB Federation to feel really good about here at the end of 2024,” Tobin stated. “So I want to say thank you to everybody and wish everybody the happiest of holidays and new year, but I’m really looking to turning the page — not because I want to put 2024 away, but because I think there’s so much more that we’re going to do in 2025.”
NAHB’s Builders’ Show Insider segment returns with Denise Miller, VP of Event, Product and Brand Marketing, providing an update on the 2025 International Builders’ Show, taking place Feb. 25-27 in Las Vegas. The show will feature the biggest exhibit show floor since 2009 and is on track for another year of record-breaking attendance.
Listen to the full episode of the podcast below, and subscribe to Housing Development through your favorite podcast provider or watch all the episodes on YouTube.
Latest from NAHBNow
The monthly update provides talking points to help members stay informed with clear and consistent messages on issues affecting the residential construction industry.
NAHB leadership will gather Oct. 6-8 for the 2026 Fall Leadership Meeting in Detroit. Members and HBA staff not in attendance can view livestreams of the key meetings.
Latest Economic News
The U.S. labor market cooled in September, with nonfarm payroll employment increasing by just 29,000 as downward revisions erased most of August’s previously reported strength. The unemployment rate edged up to 4.2%, as both employment and the labor force continued to grow.
Private residential construction spending rose in August 2026 following a series of declines during the second quarter of the year. According to the latest construction spending data from the U.S. Census Bureau, private residential construction spending came in at a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of $882.3 billion in August, up 1.1% from July but down 4.8% from a year ago.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing how work gets done, but its impact varies considerably across occupations. For most construction occupations, near-term exposure to AI remains relatively low.