Newsletter Stories

• Economic growth increases in 44 states in Q2
  According to the latest estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Real gross domestic product (GDP) increased in 44 states and the District of Columbia in the second quarter of 2026. GDP growth ranged from a 4.0% annualized increase in New York to a 2.3% decline in West Virginia, pointing to continued regional differences […]
• The latest Cotality Case-Shiller Home Price Index: Home prices up 1.9%
  The latest S&P Cotality Case-Shiller Home Price Index reported that national U.S. home prices increased by 1.9% year-over-year in July 2026, up from 1.6% in June. However, monthly price momentum remained subdued, with national prices edging up just 0.1% from June. Regionally, Midwestern and Northeastern markets remained strong, with cities such as Chicago and New […]
• Consumer confidence softens in September
  Consumer confidence decreased in September 2026, according to the Consumer Confidence Index. The index is a survey measuring how optimistic or pessimistic consumers feel about their financial situation, consisting of two components: how consumers feel about their present situation and their expected situation. This index fell from 89.4 to 81.9 in September, the lowest level since […]
• The Architecture of Quiet
  Designing Inner Peace for calm on a difficult hillside site The hills of Tustin do not compromise. They rise in dry, sun-baked terraces of sage and fractured shale and building on that kind of slope means choosing early how you’ll respond to it: fight the grade with retaining walls and heavy engineering, or find a […]
• HUD and USDA agreement to streamline housing standards
  The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to streamline housing standards, including environmental review, environmental impact, environmental regulations and physical inspections. The MOU aims to advance housing development and increase supply. “The National Association of REALTORS (NAR) applauds HUD and […]
• ASID announces 2026 National Award Winners
  The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) presented its 2026 National Awards across three categories: the Annual Awards, Legacy Awards and FOCUS Project Awards. Over 25 awardees were recognized for their impact on design and the built environment.  The ASID Carolinas Chapter received Chapter of the Year. The awards cover all sectors of interior design, […]
• Market share of 5,000-square-feet homes inches higher
  The market share of homes 5,000 square feet or more accounted for 2.9% of all new home starts in 2025. According to annual data from the Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction (SOC), both the number and market share of homes with 5,000 square feet or more increased, from 24,000 homes in 2024 to 27,000 homes in 2025. […]
• Best Bath Webinar
  The post Best Bath Webinar appeared first on Builder and Developer Magazine.
• Why you shouldn’t miss our upcoming webinar
  In today’s shifting housing market, builders, architects and design-build firms face a shared strategic challenge: expanding project margins and revenue without overextending operational capacity. The solution increasingly lies in targeted, high-margin residential interventions—most notably specialized bathroom design and remodeling. Driven by surging demand for universal design, barrier-free living and aging-in-place functionality, bath renovations offer fast […]
• Berkshire Hathaway now owns 10% stake in Lennar
  A few weeks ago, we reported that Berkshire Hathaway doubled down on its housing market investment. This week, the company further sustained its ownership in Lennar, bringing its total ownership of the homebuilder to 10%. According to SEC filings, the major conglomerate bought a mix of Class A and Class B shares from Sept. 17- […]