U.S. Builder Confidence for 55+ Housing Downticks in Q2

According to the National Association of Home Builders' 55+ Housing Market Index, U.S. builder confidence in the single-family 55+ housing market remained solid in the second quarter with a reading of 71, edging down one point from the previous quarter due to softness in traffic of prospective buyers.

The 55+ HMI measures two segments of the 55+ housing market: single-family homes and multifamily condominiums. Each segment of the 55+ HMI measures builder sentiment based on a survey that asks if current sales, prospective buyer traffic and anticipated six-month sales for that market are good, fair or poor (high, average or low for traffic).

"Although the single-family HMI fell slightly, builder sentiment still remains strong for this segment of the market," said Karen Schroeder, chair of NAHB's 55+ Housing Industry Council. "In fact, the reading of 71 is just one point off from the all-time high of 72 from the previous quarter. We expect the 55+ housing market to continue on a positive path moving forward."

For the three index components of the 55+ single-family HMI, present sales remained even at 76, expected sales for the next six months increased one point to 78 and traffic of prospective buyers fell five points to 56.

The 55+ multifamily condo HMI rose two points to 59. Two of three index components posted increases from the previous quarter: Present sales and expected sales for the next six months increased three points to 61 and 65, respectively, while traffic of prospective buyers dropped two points to 50.

All four components of the 55+ multifamily rental market went up from the first quarter: Present production and future expected production both increased six points to 64, while present demand jumped 12 points to 73 and future expected demand rose 10 points to 73.

"Demand for 55+ housing remains solid, as demonstrated in the surge for 55+ rental demand," said NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz. "Builder sentiment for the for-sale 55+ housing market also remains in positive territory, supported by low inventory of existing homes. However, it is being constrained by development costs and their impact on affordability."