The March NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index rose one point from a one-point downwardly revised February to 47. This is the third consecutive month with the index below 50, the point where more builders see the market improving rather than getting poorer. Two of the three components of the index remained unchanged; the current sales index was at 51, the same as the one-point downwardly revised February index and the traffic index was 32, which is the same as the one-point downwardly revised February component. The heaviest weighted sub-index is the expectations for the next six months, which was up four points to 57.
The essentially unchanged index is the result of builders waiting on expected spring demand while holding any further optimism until actual sales occur. Many of the individual comments mentioned stronger traffic or more serious buyers but the interest has yet turned into contract signings. Builders continue to meet some supply constraints as buildable lot supply either is not available or is priced beyond what the builder feels can be recaptured in a sale.
Access to credit continues to be a concern across all parts of the country as builders search for credit to buy land and build homes and consumers apply for mortgages. A recent NAHB survey of builders found some improvement in builders’ access to capital and FDIC quarterly reports finally show some increase in bank holdings of AD&C residential credit. Lot supply will take longer to solve but access to credit is a critical first step. The housing recovery is likely to be hindered by these limitations just as demand begins to resurge.
NAHB expects 1.1 million housing starts in 2014 primarily driven by the pent up demand of existing home owners. The first-time home buyer will return more gradually as mortgage credit standards become more rational and young adults’ incomes stabilize and grow.