Confidence among builders of new single family homes fell three points to 32 in September, according to the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index, Floor Covering News reported. NAHB chief economist Robert Dietz said it's the lowest reading since September 2025. Higher mortgage rates, labor shortages and rising material costs weighed on the mood.
More builders are discounting. 38% cut prices in September, up from 35% in August, and the average cut held at 6% for the sixth month in a row. Sales incentives were used by 66% of builders, the highest share since December. Current sales conditions fell four points to 35, and expectations for the next six months fell six points to 37.
Buyer traffic held at 23. By region, three month averages show the Midwest down one point to 44, the Northeast down five to 39, the South down one to 31 and the West up one to 28. On land, 42% of builders rated current lot availability as poor.
Source: Builder sentiment falls as interest rates rise, Floor Covering News, FCNews Staff, October 2, 2026. This is a short summary written by Brazil Floors. All facts, figures and quotes belong to the original report, so read the full story at the link.
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