Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

  • Contractors hit the brakes on starting to build new single-family homes in March

    The number of new homes completed last month was up nearly 10% compared to a year earlier. But further up the housing pipeline, things are not looking so bright. The number of new single-family housing starts — projects that began construction — dropped by 14% in March. That metric can be volatile month to month. But at…

  • New home sales show strength in March

    With the caveat that pretty much any economic data collected before April’s tariff bonanza should be taken with a grain of salt — salt that hopefully isn’t imported — the Census Bureau dropped some fresh numbers this morning on newly constructed home sales in March. Turns out, sales were pretty strong last month, up 7.9%…

  • Buying an older vs. new home might not be the answer to unaffordable housing

    Jeff Ostrowski April 23, 2025 at 3:00 PM Homes are acutely unaffordable, a reality that’s pushing stressed-out buyers to consider fixer-uppers. While older homes might offer bargains upfront, there’s a catch: Aging properties saddle owners with maintenance costs that squeeze budgets and test patience. Homebuyers need nearly $117,000 in household income to afford a home,…

  • Rate Drop Boosts March New Home Sales

    Lower mortgage rates and tight existing inventory helped push March new home sales up 7.4% month-over-month and 6% year-over-year, the NAHB said. WASHINGTON — A modest decline in mortgage rates and lean existing inventory helped boost new home sales in March even as builders and consumers contend with uncertain market conditions. Sales of newly built,…

  • Tariffs Are Already Raising Home Prices — Here's How Much and Why

    Tariffs on key home-building materials — particularly softwood lumber — could significantly increase the cost of new homes in the United States. With the country already facing a housing shortage and widespread affordability challenges for many, new tariffs could price out over 100,000 more prospective home buyers. Home builders reported in April 2025 that existing…

  • New-home snagger: 'I've found mouldy sandwiches and bottles of wee'

    5 days ago Amy Carr BBC News BBC Chris Greenwood is a snagging inspector who helps new-build house owners find problems after moving in A new-build house inspector, known as a snagger, is urging owners to check their property thoroughly after picking up the keys, as he has found some strange things in people’s homes.…

  • Contractors hit the brakes on starting to build new single-family homes in March

    The number of new homes completed last month was up nearly 10% compared to a year earlier. But further up the housing pipeline, things are not looking so bright. The number of new single-family housing starts — projects that began construction — dropped by 14% in March. That metric can be volatile month to month. But at…

  • New home sales show strength in March

    With the caveat that pretty much any economic data collected before April’s tariff bonanza should be taken with a grain of salt — salt that hopefully isn’t imported — the Census Bureau dropped some fresh numbers this morning on newly constructed home sales in March. Turns out, sales were pretty strong last month, up 7.9%…

  • Rate Drop Boosts March New Home Sales

    Lower mortgage rates and tight existing inventory helped push March new home sales up 7.4% month-over-month and 6% year-over-year, the NAHB said. WASHINGTON — A modest decline in mortgage rates and lean existing inventory helped boost new home sales in March even as builders and consumers contend with uncertain market conditions. Sales of newly built,…

  • Contractors hit the brakes on starting to build new single-family homes in March

    The number of new homes completed last month was up nearly 10% compared to a year earlier. But further up the housing pipeline, things are not looking so bright. The number of new single-family housing starts — projects that began construction — dropped by 14% in March. That metric can be volatile month to month. But at…

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