Home Builder Confidence Dips but Remains High

Washington, DC, Jan. 18, 2017 -- Home builder confidence declined in January after rising to an 11-year high last month.

National Association of Home Builders said its sentiment index fell 2 points to 67 in January from a downwardly-revised December reading.

Even with the revision, December’s reading was still the highest since the peak of the housing boom in 2005. January was the second-highest.

Readings over 50 indicate improvement.

Builders said they are still “optimistic that a new Congress and administration will help create a better business climate for small businesses, particularly as it relates to streamlining and reforming the regulatory process,” NAHB said in a press release.

NAHB’s survey averaged 61 in 2016, up from 59 in 2015 and 52 in 2014. M