5 Economic Forecasts to Help Plan for 2026
Every year, NAHB and other industry experts and economists bring their latest insights to the NAHB International Builders’ Show® (IBS). For 2026, IBS offers an unparalleled lineup of IBS Education sessions that cover every sector of the housing industry: single-family, multifamily, remodeling, design trends, and building materials.
The Builders’ Show in 2026 is in Orlando, Feb. 17-19. This is the only event where you’ll find all these speakers and sessions at one conference:
The Outlook: 2026 Housing & Economic Forecast (Super Session)
Tuesday, Feb. 17 | 2:15 – 3:45 p.m.
This IBS Super Session is hosted by NAHB Chief Economist Dr. Robert Dietz, as well as Realtor.com Chief Economist Danielle Hale and Zonda Chief Economist Ali Wolf. This expert panel will explore shifts in housing inventory, buyer demographics, and regional differences across the country, plus provide forecasts for home prices, single-family and multifamily starts, and remodeling trends.
2026 Multifamily Market Outlook
Tuesday, Feb. 17 | 10 – 11 a.m.
NAHB AVP of Forecasting & Analysis Danushka Nanayakkara-Skillington and Cotality Chief Economist Selma Hempp will take a deep dive into multifamily housing, and explore the construction pipeline, financing challenges, shifting geographies of growth, and more.
Remodeling by the Numbers: Market Outlook & Business Benchmarks for 2026
Wednesday, Feb. 18 | 8:15 – 9:15 a.m.
Featuring NAHB Economist Eric Lynch, as well as remodeling expert Alan Hanbury, this data-driven session combines insights from NAHB’s latest Remodeling Market Outlook with exclusive findings from the 2026 Remodelers’ Cost of Doing Business study. Explore the key economic and demographic trends shaping the industry and walk away with vital financial benchmarks for profit margins, operating costs and expenses.
Home Trends, Buyer Preferences & Most Likely Features for 2026
Wednesday, Feb. 18 | 10 – 11 a.m.
Explore the latest research on the home and community features buyers want most in this session led by NAHB AVP of Survey Research Rose Quint and architect and industry thought-leader Donald Ruthroff. Discover what trends are shaping new home design, including how preferences shift by price-point. See these trends in action, illustrated through award-winning designs from recent Best in American Living Awards™ (BALA) winners.
Building Materials in Flux: Pricing Trends, Trade Dynamics & Supply Chain
Wednesday, Feb. 18 | 2:15 – 3:15 p.m.
Gain timely insights into the ever-evolving trending issue of building materials, hosted by NAHB Director of Tax and Trade Jesse Wade, custom builder and industry leader Don Dabbert, and industry expert and analyst Nishu Sood from John Burns Research and Consulting. Learn how key building materials like lumber, gypsum and cement are affected by shifting pricing trends, ongoing tariff disruptions and other international trade dynamics. Explore what’s driving material costs and availability, and how global and domestic supply chains are adapting.
Register today and secure your Expo+Education Pass to attend these and other valuable IBS Education sessions. Visit Eye on Housing to see more of the latest economic data.