Housing Market Made Modest Gains in Q4 as Permits Slipped
Washington, DC, February 7, 2018-Overall housing and economic activity in metro markets across the nation remained on a gradual, upward trend in the fourth quarter of 2017 even as permit activity remained a stubbornly lagging indicator, according to the National Association of Home Builders/First American Leading Markets Index (LMI).
“While the home price appreciation and employment components of the LMI are at healthy levels and continue to expand, we are concerned with the sluggish permit activity,” said NAHB chief economist Robert Dietz. “The weak permit numbers indicate that builders may be hesitant to start projects as they contend with supply-side hurdles, such as rising material prices and labor shortages.”
“This report shows that the overall housing market is moving forward at a gradual pace, with the fastest growing metro areas mostly in the South and West,” said NAHB chairman Randy Noel, a custom homebuilder and developer from LaPlace, Louisiana. “Continued economic growth, rising consumer demand and a pro-business political climate should keep housing on an upward trajectory in 2018.”
Markets in 195 of the 337 metro areas nationwide returned to or exceeded their last normal levels of economic and housing activity in the fourth quarter of 2017. This represents a year-over-year net gain of 25 markets. Meanwhile, 82% of markets have shown an improvement year over year.
Two of the three individual components of the LMI registered healthy readings. Employment is at 98% of normal activity and home price levels are well above normal at 158%. However, single-family permits are running at only 56% of normal activity.
In an encouraging sign, employment levels are at or above normal activity in 128 markets-a 8.5% rise over last quarter. Permit levels, on the other hand, are at or above normalcy in only 62 markets and dropped 7.5% from the third quarter of 2017.
“The number of markets on this quarter’s LMI at or above 90% has risen to 274-more than 81% of all metro areas,” said Kurt Pfotenhauer, vice chairman of First American Title Insurance Company, which co-sponsors the LMI report. “This shows that the overall market continues to make modest, but consistent gains.”
Baton Rouge, Louisiana continues to top the list of major metros on the LMI, with a score of 1.71-or 71% better than its historical normal market level. Other major metros leading the group include Austin, Texas; Honolulu, Hawaii; Oxnard, California; and Provo, Utah. Rounding out the top 10 are San Jose, California; Nashville, Tennessee; Spokane, Washington; Los Angeles, California; and Salt Lake City, Utah.
Among smaller metros, Odessa, Texas, has an LMI score of 2.15, meaning that it is now at more than double its market strength prior to the recession. Also at the top of that list are Midland, Texas; Walla Walla, Washington; Florence, Alabama; and Gadsden, Alabama.