Builder confidence for new single-family homes ↑1 point to 38 in Late-Q1 2026, after an upward revision.
Affordability worries persisted, tied to elevated land, labor, and construction costs plus shortages of buildable lots.
Many buyers stayed on the fence, waiting for lower interest rates and facing broader economic uncertainty.
Late-Q1 2026 builder actions: 37% cut prices; avg. cut 6%; incentives 64%, the 12th straight month >60%.
All major sub-indexes ↑: current sales 42, future sales 49, buyer traffic 25; regional 3-mo avgs mostly flat.
I’m seeing builder confidence tick up slightly, but affordability remains the big constraint. High costs, limited lots, and labor shortages are shaping pricing and incentives, while buyers hesitate amid rate and economic uncertainty.