NAHB Now's Latest Posts
Sen. Heller Introduces Tax Credit Proposal Targeting Low-Income Seniors
Sen. Dean Heller (R-Nev) on Oct. 11 introduced the Seniors Affordable Housing Tax Credit Act (S. 3580), legislation that would provide tax credits to building owners who lease units to low-income seniors.
Average New Lot Size Remains at Record Low
The median lot size of a new single-family detached home sold in 2017 was 8,560 square feet, or just under one-fifth of an acre. While only two square feet smaller than 2016’s median lot size, it is still the lowest number since the Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction (SOC) started tracking the series for single-family detached homes in 1992.
Top 10 Publicly-Traded Builder Share Lower in 2017
The top 10 publicly-traded builders in 2017 captured a 25.5% share of new single-family home closings, down from 27.4% in 2016. The data is based on their latest 10K filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which provide a comprehensive summary of each firm’s financial performance.
New Trade Deal Could Open Door for Future Lumber Talks
The new trade deal between the U.S., Canada and Mexico that will replace the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement or USMCA has the potential to yield positive developments regarding the ongoing U.S.-Canada lumber trade dispute.
FHA Extends Multifamily Risk-Sharing Initiative Through Dec. 31
The Federal Housing Administration will extend its multifamily risk-sharing initiative with the Federal Financing Bank for eligible housing finance agencies through Dec. 31, 2018.
Trump Signs Bill to Keep Government Running
President Trump today signed legislation to fund the Departments of Defense, Labor, Education, and Health and Human Resources through fiscal year 2019, which ends on Sept. 30. All other agencies that have not yet received appropriations, including HUD and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, will be funded at fiscal 2018 levels under a continuing resolution that will expire at 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 7.
House Approves 3 Tax Reform Bills; No Plans for Senate Action
The House this week approved a package of three tax bills known collectively as “Tax Reform 2.0” that are intended to build on the enactment of last year’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. However, the Senate is not expected to act on any of the measures in this congressional session.
FAA Bill Includes Key Housing Affordability Provisions
The House has passed a five-year FAA reauthorization bill that contains a key provision championed by NAHB that will delay a major building and affordability barrier that would have started in the Pacific Northwest and quickly spread throughout the country.
Sen. Warren to Introduce Housing Affordability Bill
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) is expected to introduce the American Housing and Economic Mobility Act Sept. 26, legislation the senator says is designed to bring down costs for renters and buyers alike.
Appraisal Proposal Would Increase Threshold for Non-Residential Properties
The National Credit Union Administration is accepting comments on a proposed rule to amend the agency’s regulation requiring real estate appraisals for certain transactions.
