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Feeling Locked Out

Homeowners are spending more and more on remodeling, according to a recent report from BuildFax. The BuildFax October Housing Health Report found that the rate of remodeling spending increased by 16.57 percent year over year, despite a drop in remodel volume by 4.21 percent in that same time. BuildFax notes that the increased spending and decreased volume may be due to homeowners feeling “locked in” to their homes, hesitant to re-enter the housing market.

“Home prices are outpacing wage growth substantially,” said BuildFax CEO Holly Tachovsky. “These affordability concerns are compounded by mounting mortgage rates and rising construction costs. As a result, homeowners, unable to re-enter the housing market, are reinvesting in their existing properties. The increase in remodel spend suggests the scope of these projects has risen, despite seeing a dip in remodel volume. Homeowners may feel unprepared to enter the housing market, but they are making larger investments in the health of their existing property.”

Rocky Stubbs, SVP, Direct Lending, Flagstar Bank, also notes the increased amount of homeowners staying put rather than moving out, increasing remodeling spending.

“We’re entering the most challenging part of the cycle,” said Stubbs. “Some first-time homebuyers may no longer qualify. And existing homeowners looking to upgrade but have locked into low rates now have the incentive to stay put and remodel rather than trade up.

Additionally, the report found that maintenance volume has decreased year over year as well, down by 0.41 percent. This may be due in part to the drop in rebuilding following a spike after last year’s hurricane season. For example, Florida saw a 7.83 percent decline in maintenance volume year over year, after maintenance volume jumped following Hurricane Irma.

Another finding in the report was an increase in Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU). BuildFax found that DU construction activity has increased substantially in California, Oregon, and Washington. California shows the continued highest volume of ADU construction activity with a year-to-date increase of 53.7 percent.

Find the complete report from BuildFax here.

About Author: Seth Welborn

Seth Welborn is a Harding University graduate with a degree in English and a minor in writing. He is a contributing writer for MReport. An East Texas Native, he has studied abroad in Athens, Greece and works part-time as a photographer.
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