Homebuilder Blues: NAHB/Wells Fargo Home Builder Ratings March 2013

Today, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) released their latest Housing Market Index (HMI) showing that assesments of housing activity declined in March with the composite HMI index falling to 44 while the "buyer traffic" index inscreased to 35.

It's important to note that March continued to show a flattening of sorts to future expectations, a development that is worth noting as the new home market moves through it's most active months at the start of the year (see Bob Tolls explanation for January - early spring being the new home markets most active period annually).

While all indicators have made truly spectacular improvements this year, it's important to note that conditions still remain fairly distressed by historic standards.

Although, looking at the data, it is fairly clear that the last few months of results indicate a major change in builder sentiment likely coming as a result of improvements in confidence given the notable rise in buyer traffic, reduced inventory and a more balanced monthly supply.

Homebuilder Blues: NAHB/Wells Fargo Home Builder Ratings January 2013

Today, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) released their latest Housing Market Index (HMI) showing that assesments of housing activity went flat in January with the composite HMI index remaining at 47 while the "buyer traffic" index improved slightly to 37, a level not seen since early 2006.

It's important to note that January has continued to show a slight pullback to future expectations, a development that is worth noting as the new home market moves through it's most active months at the start of the year (see Bob Tolls explination for January - early spring being the new home markets most active period annually).

While all indicators have made truly spectacular improvements this year, it's important to note that conditions still remain fairly distressed by historic standards.

Although, looking at the data, it is fairly clear that the last few months of results indicate a major change in builder sentiment likely coming as a result of improvements in confidence given the notable rise in buyer traffic, reduced inventory and a more balanced monthly supply.

Homebuilder Blues: NAHB/Wells Fargo Home Builder Ratings March 2012

Today, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) released their latest Housing Market Index (HMI) showing a flattening of most measures in March with the composite HMI index remaining unchanged at 28 while the "buyer traffic" index stayed put at 22.

While all indicators have made notable increases as of late, it's important to note that conditions still remain distressed by historic standards though, the last few months results appears to indicate a major change in the builder sentiment.

The new home market will likely not resume any significant form of healthy function until the considerable overhang of inventory is cleared.