Confidence in the homebuilding and remodeling sectors remained on shaky ground at the midpoint of 2025, amid a cloudy economic outlook, tariff concerns and rising product and materials costs. Among the key statistics and forecasts released in recent weeks by government agencies, research firms and industry-related trade associations were the following:
HOUSING STARTS & NEW-HOME SALES
Builder confidence fell sharply in May amid growing uncertainties stemming from elevated interest rates, tariff concerns and a cloudy economic outlook – although positive news on the tariff front “should provide a boost to housing demand,” the National Association of Home Builders said. “The spring homebuying season has gotten off to a slow start as persistent elevated interest rates, policy uncertainty and building material cost factors hurt builder sentiment,” said Buddy Hughes, chairman of the Washington, DC-based NAHB. “However, builders expect that future trade negotiations and progress on tax policy will help strengthen housing demand.” Policy uncertainty stemming in large part from tariff issues has blunted builder confidence, said NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz, adding that, as of May, a majority of home builders were using incentives to facilitate sales due to lackluster demand.
EXISTING-HOME SALES
Sales of existing homes have been at 75% of normal, pre-pandemic activity for the past three years, even with seven million jobs added to the economy, according to the chief economist for the National Association of Realtors, who noted that pent-up housing demand “continues to grow, though it’s not being realized.” Any meaningful decline in mortgage rates “will help release this demand,” said Lawrence Yun of the Washington, DC-based NAR. “At this stage of the housing market, it’s all about mortgage rates,” Yun noted. “Lower mortgage rates are essential to bring home buyers back into the market.”
RESIDENTIAL REMODELING
The nation’s aging housing stock combined with insufficient new-home inventory points to future growth for the remodeling market, according to a report from the National Association of Home Builders. Recent data, said the NAHB, indicates that nearly half of U.S. owner-occupied homes were built before 1980 and have climbed to a median age of 41 years. Despite current economic uncertainty, the NAHB is forecasting residential remodeling activity to post a 5% gain in 2025, followed by a 3% increase in 2026.
CABINET & VANITY SALES
Sales of kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities declined in April compared to the same month in 2024, the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association reported. According to the KCMA’s latest monthly “Trend of Business Survey,” participating manufacturers reported that overall cabinet and vanity sales in April were down 9.3% from the same month a year earlier. Declines were reported for stock cabinets (-20.8%), as well as for semi-custom (-3.9%) and custom units (-11.8%), the KCMA reported. Year-to-date sales through April were down 6% compared to the same four-month period a year earlier.
MAJOR HOME APPLIANCE SHIPMENTS
U.S. shipments of major home appliances rose in the first quarter compared to the same three-month period in 2024, the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers reported. According to AHAM’s latest figures, appliance shipments from January through March totaled 20.2 million units, up 2.6% from the 19.7 million units shipped in the first quarter last year. Gains were led by an increase in shipments of cooking (+9.6%) and home laundry (+3.3%) products. In contrast, shipments of refrigeration (-3.4%) and kitchen-cleanup products (-1.5%) were down from the same period last year.
Market Analysis: Uncertainty Mounting Among Homeowners, Survey Finds
INDIANAPOLIS, IN — In a shifting economic landscape, U.S. homeowners are increasingly feeling the financial pinch, reassessing their remodeling priorities and finding new ways to get the most from their current homes, according to a report by home-services website Angi, Inc. KEEP READING