Editorial: High rates can’t cool pricey Mass. housing market
- U.S. Single-family homebuilding experienced a downturn in March, hitting an eight-month low, the Census Bureau reported Thursday.
- Import duties imposed on foreign goods by President Trump have increased building material costs.
- Single-Family housing starts, which make up most of homebuilding, fell 14.2% to 940,000 units, the lowest since July.
- The NAHB stated that a majority of builders report material cost increases because of tariffs; builders estimate tariff costs at $10,900 per home.
- The drop in housing starts and permits suggests a potential decline in homebuilding activity, despite a slight rise in overall building permits.
17 Articles
17 Articles
Editorial: High rates can’t cool pricey Mass. housing market
Although fewer single-family homes were sold in Massachusetts last month compared to a year ago, real estate market analysts at The Warren Group believe 2025’s first-quarter results give hope that longstanding inventory pressures have begun to ease slightly. Whether that’s reality or wishful thinking, that sanguine note represents a rare ray of positivity for priced-out potential homebuyers. However, that decrease in sales didn’t stem the relent…
Home Builder Confidence Improves Slightly but Remains in Negative Territory: NAHB Report
U.S. builder confidence for newly built single-family homes rose this month but continued to be in the negative domain amid concerns about tariffs and rising raw material costs, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) said in an April 16 statement. NAHB’s Housing Market Index increased by one point from March to hit the 40 level in April. A reading less than 50 indicates lower optimism among builders about the current and near-term hous…

US single-family housing starts tumble to an eight-month low in March
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. single-family homebuilding plunged to an eight-month low in March and could decline further as tariffs on imported materials raise costs and offset declining mortgage rates.
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- 38% of the sources are Center, 38% of the sources lean Right
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