Newsletter Stories

• Redefining the Single-Story Home Design
  Tri Pointe Homes continues to set the standard for high-quality houses For 17 years, Tri Pointe Homes has built 330 neighborhoods and 15 master planned communities, winning over 270 separate awards for its innovative builds.  Tri Pointe Homes’ innovative design is reflected in Carlisle Ridge Plan 2, a single-story 3,447-square-foot home designed to blend outdoor […]
• Dream Finders Homes reports Q2 results
  On July 30, 2026, Dream Finders Homes (DFH) announced its Q2 2026 results: sales are up, but margins are down. According to the release from DFH, net sales increased 15% to 2,232 from 1,938 and home closings increased 3% to 2,290 from 2,232 year-over-year. Despite these seemingly positive figures, the company reported its homebuilding gross […]
• Backyard trends that are shaping outdoor living
  From a cozy front porch to an expansive backyard, outdoor spaces have become just as important as a home’s interior. Homeowners are looking for complete outdoor environments that support relaxing, entertaining, dining and wellness without sacrificing style. One of the strongest outdoor trends we’ve seen this year is the continuation of the outdoor living room. […]
• Mortgage rates average 6.58%
  On July 23, 2026, Freddie Mac released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey, revealing the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 6.58%, up from the week before when it averaged 6.55%. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.74%. “The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.58% this week,” said Sam Khater, Freddie […]
• Berkshire Hathaway completes acquisition of Taylor Morrison
  Berkshire Hathaway’s acquisition of  Taylor Morrison is complete. The two companies released a joint statement announcing the integration of Taylor Morrison with Berkshire Hathaway-owned Clayton Properties Group site-built homebuilding subsidiaries. Between the combined homebuilding enterprises, an estimated 23,000 site-built homes were closed in 2025. “Today marks an important step forward as Taylor Morrison joins Berkshire. This […]
• Acquisition increases among home builders
  Most home builders predicted that elevated mortgage rates and hesitancy to buy homes would be among their greatest challenges in 2026. As companies seek efficiencies and economies of scale, the industry is experiencing increased consolidation activity: Taylor Morrison was acquired by Berkshire Hathaway; Tri Pointe Homes by Sumitomo Forestry; and United Homes Group by Stanley […]
• Federal Reserve holds rates steady for fifth consecutive month
  The Federal Reserve, during its July policy meeting, decided to hold interest rates at 3.5% to 3.75%. This comes amid elevated inflation rates, which were attributed to supply shocks. This is also the Fed’s fifth consecutive hold; the last rate cut was in December 2025. “The Committee decided to maintain the target range for the […]
• New home sales edge higher
  According to newly released data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau, newly built single-family home sales rose 1.6% in June to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 628,000. “New home sales are gaining some momentum at the more affordable range of the market, with homes priced below […]
• Toll Brothers’ Strategy and Style
  Inside the builder’s executive evolution and dignified design Since we last featured Toll Brothers as our 2025 Builder of the Year, the company continues to elevate itself in the homebuilding industry. Past the midway point of 2026, much of Toll Brothers’ C-Suite is led by different executives than it was this time last year.  Ushering […]
• B&D Interview: Selma Hepp, Chief Economist, Cotality
  In the August issue of Builder and Developer, Hepp breaks down the new realities of homebuilding Builder and Developer: How have you seen builder sentiment and buyer behavior evolve so far this year? Selma Hepp: Builder sentiment remains cautious, but buyer behavior has been more resilient than headline confidence measures suggest. The NAHB/Wells Fargo HMI […]