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Mattamy Homes announces delivery of 150,000 homes
Mattamy Homes, a privately held homebuilder founded in 1978, announced that it has delivered over 150,000 homes in the U.S. and Canada.…
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Mattamy Homes, a privately held homebuilder founded in 1978, announced that it has delivered over 150,000 homes in the U.S. and Canada.
The builder delivered 8,453 homes in FY 2025, compared to 50,000 homes in its first 30 years of business.
In 2026, the builder appears to be accelerating its land acquisition, with new developments announced in Arizona, Florida and Calgary, in the past two months.
“This milestone reflects the consistency and dedication of our team members across the US,” said Keith Bass, CEO of Mattamy Homes US. “Every home we deliver represents a family we have the privilege to serve. As we continue to grow, our focus remains on building high-quality homes and communities that meet the needs of today’s buyers.”
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PulteGroup launches expansion to Northwest Florida
PulteGroup, one of the nation’s largest builders, announced expansion to Northwest Florida, launching its Panhandle Division. The builder, which delivered an estimated…
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PulteGroup, one of the nation’s largest builders, announced expansion to Northwest Florida, launching its Panhandle Division.
The builder, which delivered an estimated 29,572 homes in 2025, has a long history in the Sunshine State. It first expanded to Sarasota in 1997, then acquired Florida-based builder DiVosta a year later.
PulteGroup announced Taylor Larza to lead the new division as Vice President and Market Manager.
“The opportunity to build a new division from the ground up is an exciting challenge and a tremendous honor,” said Larza. “I’m eager to help establish a strong foundation for our Panhandle Division while continuing to work closely with our Northeast Florida team, which will continue to support our operational functions as we develop. I’m grateful for the experiences, relationships, and support I’ve received throughout my career at PulteGroup, and I look forward to this next chapter of growth and opportunity.”
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Highland Homes purchases 100 acres for self development
Highland Homes, one of Texas’ most prominent builders, launches its self-development arm with the purchase of 100 acres in Melina. The builder…
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Highland Homes, one of Texas’ most prominent builders, launches its self-development arm with the purchase of 100 acres in Melina. The builder estimates that the land will include 400 homesites ranging from 45 to 60 feet wide.
Highland, overseeing the development, believes the lots will be ready by the end of the year, with home sales to begin in spring 2027.
Highland Homes currently builds in 11 Austin-area communities and more than 100 in Texas. With these new avenues of self-development, the builder estimates delivering 600 homes in the near future to the Georgetown area.
“This is a natural next step for Highland Homes in Central Texas,” said Jeff Stinson, Senior Vice President of Land for Highland Homes. “Developing these projects allows us to time supply to properly meet buyer demand. We’re excited to work with such esteemed partners to bring these communities to life.”
Photo Courtesy of Highland Homes
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Dream Finders Homes acquires Beazer Homes for $2.2 billion
It’s official: Dream Finders Homes (DFH) will acquire Beazer Homes in a $2.2 billion deal. This comes after multiple public rounds of…
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It’s official: Dream Finders Homes (DFH) will acquire Beazer Homes in a $2.2 billion deal. This comes after multiple public rounds of offers from DFH to acquire the Atlanta-based builder.
The offer values Beazer Homes at $33.50 per share, up from Dream Finders’ last offer in July of $32.00 per share.
The combined company will operate in 26 markets across high-demand areas in the Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, the Midwest, Texas and the West.
“As someone who started Dream Finders from the ground up, I know what it takes to build a culture that puts homebuyers first and that’s exactly what I see in Beazer,” said Patrick Zalupski, Founder, CEO and Co-Chairman of Dream Finders. “They have built something genuinely special – a talented team, strong communities, and a culture that puts customers at the center of everything they do. That resonates deeply with us. This combination is the next meaningful step in our journey to become a top 5 national homebuilder, expanding our geographic reach, broadening the range of buyers we can serve and strengthening the integrated services we offer families from contract to close.”
Dream Finders then reaffirmed its full-year 2026 outlook of 9,250 homes. It’s unclear whether the combined builder will hold the same energy-efficient priorities of Beazer Homes.
“Over nearly 20 years, we have transformed Beazer into one of the nation’s largest homebuilders through a strategy focused on delivering on energy-efficient homes and best-in-class customer experiences,” said Allan P. Merrill, Chairman, President and CEO of Beazer Homes. “This transaction represents the culmination of a comprehensive review of opportunities to maximize value and provides Beazer shareholders with a significant and certain cash return in an uncertain market. I am proud of our people and want to thank our entire organization for their exceptional work to ensure that, together with Dream Finders, we continue providing homebuyers across the country with a high-quality product and outstanding service.”
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Highland Homes announces restructuring
Highland Homes, the Texas-based homebuilder, announced a new division-led organizational structure. Under the new structure, local functional teams will report directly to…
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Highland Homes, the Texas-based homebuilder, announced a new division-led organizational structure. Under the new structure, local functional teams will report directly to a Division President.
With that comes the posting of new Division Presidents: Jarod Mouton to lead Houston, and John DePasquale to lead Highland’s Central Texas division, serving the Austin and San Antonio markets.
This change is designed to strengthen local market leadership, sharpen accountability and bring decision-making closer to the customers and communities it serves.
“Highland’s success has always come from understanding what homebuyers value in each market and empowering our people to deliver it,” said Aaron Graham, Chairman and CEO of Highland Homes. “This structure brings leadership and decision-making closer to our customers while giving our senior functional leaders greater capacity to advance the products, technology and growth strategies that will shape Highland’s future. We were deliberate about the structure, the leaders and the timing, and I’m confident it positions us to serve our customers and employee owners even better in every market.”
Highland also announced several promotions as part of the new structure. Stephen Chambers has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer and will lead Architectural Services and New Product Development, Supply Chain, Information Technology, Marketing and MarTech.
Jeff Stinson is promoted to Chief Strategy and Land Officer; he will lead enterprise strategy and land initiatives to support Highland’s long-term growth. Amy Jones is promoted to Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing in Dallas-Fort Worth.
The changes follow months of planning and preparation to ensure the structure, leadership and timing were right for Highland. The company expects the division-led framework to strengthen its ability to serve homebuyers, create opportunities for its employee owners and build on its position in every Texas market it serves.
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Starter-home affordability improves for 8th consecutive month
According to a new analysis from Redfin, starter-home affordability is improving. The income needed to afford an average U.S. starter home is down 1.5% from a year ago, marking eight straight months of declines as price growth cools. Affordability for entry-level homes is improving more than the overall market; the income needed to buy the typical U.S. home is down just 0.5% because price growth remains stronger at higher price points as affluent buyers remain active.
“We consider a home affordable if a buyer taking out a mortgage would spend no more than 30% of their income on their monthly housing payment. Starter homes are those in the 5th to 35th percentile for sale prices,” said Redfin in its analysis. “This is based on a Redfin analysis of median home sale prices, prevailing mortgage rates and property-tax payments and assumes a 15% down payment. This report focuses on June 2026, the most recent period for which data is available.”
The analysis found that the income needed to buy a starter home is declining while earnings are rising. The typical American household earns an estimated $87,599, about $17,000 more than what is needed to buy the median-priced U.S. starter home.
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Federal Reserve holds rates steady for fifth consecutive month
The Federal Reserve, during its July policy meeting, decided to hold interest rates at 3.5% to 3.75%. This comes amid elevated inflation rates, which were attributed to supply shocks. This is also the Fed’s fifth consecutive hold; the last rate cut was in December 2025.
“The Committee decided to maintain the target range for the federal funds rate at 3-1/2 to 3-3/4 percent, in support of the Federal Reserve’s dual mandate,” the Board said in a statement. “The Committee is continuing its policy of maintaining ample reserves in the banking system.”
This is Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh’s second decision of his tenure since he took the helm in May. The National Association of Home Builders Chief Economist, Robert Dietz, discussed what this means for builders.
“If you squint a little, this can be seen as a dovish policy message because, while the Fed can affect aggregate demand by tightening monetary policy (as the bond market appears to expect), the central bank cannot effectively address supply shocks with policy,” said Dietz. “While this should not be interpreted as taking rate hikes off the table, it is an accurate statement of current macroeconomic conditions and many analysts’ views that the Fed cannot solve energy price increases due to war or one-off tariff effects with monetary policy.
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New home sales edge higher
According to newly released data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau, newly built single-family home sales rose 1.6% in June to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 628,000.
“New home sales are gaining some momentum at the more affordable range of the market, with homes priced below $300,000 accounting for 23% of June sales, up from 16% a year earlier,” said the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Chief Economist Robert Dietz. “However, that price point is generally only achievable in markets with lower development and construction costs, particularly with respect to lower state and local regulatory costs.”
“The pace of new home sales has remained constrained in recent months by elevated mortgage rates,” said Bill Owens, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a home builder and remodeler from Worthington, Ohio. “Builders continue to use incentives to support sales, with NAHB survey data showing that 62% of builders offered some form of incentive in June.”
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Mattamy Homes announces delivery of 150,000 homes
Mattamy Homes, a privately held homebuilder founded in 1978, announced that it has delivered over 150,000 homes in the U.S. and Canada.
The builder delivered 8,453 homes in FY 2025, compared to 50,000 homes in its first 30 years of business.
In 2026, the builder appears to be accelerating its land acquisition, with new developments announced in Arizona, Florida and Calgary, in the past two months.
“This milestone reflects the consistency and dedication of our team members across the US,” said Keith Bass, CEO of Mattamy Homes US. “Every home we deliver represents a family we have the privilege to serve. As we continue to grow, our focus remains on building high-quality homes and communities that meet the needs of today’s buyers.”
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PulteGroup launches expansion to Northwest Florida
PulteGroup, one of the nation’s largest builders, announced expansion to Northwest Florida, launching its Panhandle Division.
The builder, which delivered an estimated 29,572 homes in 2025, has a long history in the Sunshine State. It first expanded to Sarasota in 1997, then acquired Florida-based builder DiVosta a year later.
PulteGroup announced Taylor Larza to lead the new division as Vice President and Market Manager.
“The opportunity to build a new division from the ground up is an exciting challenge and a tremendous honor,” said Larza. “I’m eager to help establish a strong foundation for our Panhandle Division while continuing to work closely with our Northeast Florida team, which will continue to support our operational functions as we develop. I’m grateful for the experiences, relationships, and support I’ve received throughout my career at PulteGroup, and I look forward to this next chapter of growth and opportunity.”
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Highland Homes purchases 100 acres for self development
Highland Homes, one of Texas’ most prominent builders, launches its self-development arm with the purchase of 100 acres in Melina. The builder estimates that the land will include 400 homesites ranging from 45 to 60 feet wide.
Highland, overseeing the development, believes the lots will be ready by the end of the year, with home sales to begin in spring 2027.
Highland Homes currently builds in 11 Austin-area communities and more than 100 in Texas. With these new avenues of self-development, the builder estimates delivering 600 homes in the near future to the Georgetown area.
“This is a natural next step for Highland Homes in Central Texas,” said Jeff Stinson, Senior Vice President of Land for Highland Homes. “Developing these projects allows us to time supply to properly meet buyer demand. We’re excited to work with such esteemed partners to bring these communities to life.”
Photo Courtesy of Highland Homes
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Mortgage rates average 6.69%
As of Aug. 6, 2026, mortgage rates averaged 6.69%, according to Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Survey (PMS). These results are up from last week’s average of 6.66%. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.63%.
“The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.69% this week,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist. “While mortgage rates continue to influence affordability, the housing market is showing signs of adjustment, with listing prices modestly below year-ago levels and for-sale inventory improving from the limited supply seen in recent years.”
The 15-year FRM averaged 6.01%, down from the previous week’s 6.04%. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 5.75%.
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Residential construction spending averages $877.1 billion in June
On Aug. 3, 2026, the United States Census Bureau released its Monthly Construction Spending in June 2026 report. According to the report, residential construction was at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $877.1 billion in June, 0.3% (±1.3%)* below the revised May estimate of $879.9 billion.
Total construction spending during June 2026 was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $2,166.5 billion, 0.1% (±0.8%)* below the revised May estimate of $2,168.5 billion. The June figure is 3.2% below the June 2025 estimate of $2,237.7 billion. During the first six months of this year, construction spending amounted to $1,046.9 billion, 3.5% below the $1,084.5 billion for the same period in 2025.
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Mortgage rates average 6.66%
On July 30, 2026, Freddie Mac released the latest results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey, showing the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 6.66%. This was up from the week prior’s average of 6.58%. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.72%.
“The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.66% this week,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist. “The housing market continues to benefit from more available inventory, providing prospective homebuyers with additional options and helping support buyer activity as mortgage rates fluctuate.”
The 15-year FRM averaged 6.04%, up from the previous week when it averaged 5.96%. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 5.85%.
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Tri Pointe Homes unveils LivingWell in Utah
Tri Pointe Homes announced the completion of its LivingWell concept home and the start of sales at Pavilions at Holladay Hills, an exclusive collection of six one-of-a-kind luxury estate residences in Holladay, Utah. The completed concept home gives prospective buyers their first opportunity to experience LivingWell, Tri Pointe’s next-generation approach to whole-home wellness.
Photography by Kara Mercer “LivingWell represents an important evolution in how we think about designing homes,” said Tom Mitchell, President and Chief Operating Officer of Tri Pointe Homes. “Buyers increasingly want homes that contribute meaningfully to the lives they hope to lead. Luxury is no longer measured by scale or finishes alone, but by whether a home can adapt, restore and support the people living there. Pavilions at Holladay Hills is Tri Pointe’s response, offering residences that are highly personalized, flexible over time and holistically focused on human wellbeing.”
The LivingWell concept home integrates wellness throughout the entire home, rather than confining it to individual rooms or amenities. Organized around a private interior courtyard, the three-story, 7,774-square-foot contemporary English manor includes six bedrooms, nine bathrooms, a four-bay garage and a separate carriage home for guests or multigenerational living. Its orientation, enhanced glazing and circulation draw natural light into the interior while strengthening indoor-outdoor living.
Photography by Ikon Media “Good design should support our routines while making space for the ways we evolve,” said Bobby Berk, LivingWell’s designer, Emmy-winning TV host and author. “LivingWell brings that balance of comfort and freedom into wellness-oriented spaces that are deeply connected to the people who live there. This project is exciting because it doesn’t view wellness as just another trend. LivingWell is a platform for imagining where residential design can go next.”
Photography by Kara Mercer The project builds upon Tri Pointe Homes’ LivingSmart program, the company’s longterm commitment to sustainability, energy efficiency and responsible building practices. LivingWell extends to how a home feels by incorporating light, flow, comfort, connection and adaptability into the routines of daily life. The approach is anticipated to be expressed across all six residences at Pavilions at Holladay Hills.
Please visit tripointehomes.com for more information.
Backyard and primary bathroom photos courtesy of Ikon Media.
Kitchen and dining room photos courtesy of Kara Mercer.
Photos courtesy of Tri Pointe Homes.
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ASID Announces 2026–2027 National Board of Directors
The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) announced its National Board of Directors for 2026-2027. Board leadership is effective October 1, 2026.
“The strength of ASID has always been rooted in the expertise and diversity of its volunteer leadership,” said Khoi Vo, chief executive officer of ASID. “Our incoming Board reflects the breadth of today’s design profession, bringing together accomplished practitioners, industry leaders and advocates who understand both the opportunities and the challenges shaping our future. Their leadership will help ensure ASID continues to elevate the profession, support our members and demonstrate the value of design in improving the way people live, work and thrive.”
The 2026–2027 National Board of Directors includes:- Chair: Shundra Harris, FASID, NCIDQ, RID
- Chair-Elect: Laura McDonald Stewart, FASID, RID, LEED AP, WELL AP
- Past Chair: Elizabeth Von Lehe, ASID, NCIDQ, CID, LEED AP ID+C
Directors-at-Large
- Joni Burden, ASID, NCIDQ
- David Cordell, FASID, LEED AP, WELL AP, Fitwel Ambassador
- Caroline P. Gama, ASID Allied, CAPS, Green AP
- Dina Lamanna, ASID, NCIDQ
- Kristie Nicoloff, ASID, NCIDQ, RID, IIDA
- Kendra Ordia, ASID
- Veronica Sanders, ASID, RID, NCIDQ
Industry Partner Representatives
- Paul Adams, ASID Affiliate
- Lauren Corbin, ASID Affiliate
- Jennifer Nye, ASID Affiliate
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Interior design trends to look out for in 2027
Looking towards 2027, interior design trends are evolving from cool-toned, overly staged interiors. Instead, buyers will be looking for warmth and designs that feel grounded. While the cooler color palette of grey and white hues has been popular in the last decade, warm neutrals, earth tones and natural wood cabinetry will take center stage next year in new home construction.
While open floor layouts will carry into 2027, buyers have been prioritizing more privacy, defined zones and flexible rooms for work and quiet. This is also likely to continue in next year’s interior design trends.
Throughout 2026, we have seen buyers’ desire for wellness-focused features such as natural light, quieter spaces and spa-style baths. This drive for wellness-inspired design will continue, as buyers seek interiors that reflect and improve their daily routines.
Exclusive Feature
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B&D Interview: Heather Laminack, NAHB PWB Chair
In the July issue of Builder and Developer, Laminack discusses her and NAHB’s efforts to expand the involvement of women in the…
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Dream Finders Homes reports Q2 results
On July 30, 2026, Dream Finders Homes (DFH) announced its Q2 2026 results: sales are up, but margins are down. According to the release from DFH, net sales increased 15% to 2,232 from 1,938 and home closings increased 3% to 2,290 from 2,232 year-over-year.
Despite these seemingly positive figures, the company reported its homebuilding gross margin fell from 16.5% to 14.2%. DFH noted that there were higher land and financing costs. Another factor could be the high regulatory costs for finished lots and overall economic headwinds.
Homebuilding revenues also decreased 8% in Q2 2026 compared to Q2 2025, largely attributed to a lower average selling price in product mix and geographic locations.
“The home building market continues to be challenging, but our teams have worked hard to identify opportunities to improve our cost structure with the goal of delivering more affordable homes to our customers,” said Patrick Zalupski, Dream Finders Homes Founder, Co-Chairman and CEO. “We believe costs will need to continue to trend down, perhaps significantly, to have a meaningful impact on market-wide housing results.”
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Backyard trends that are shaping outdoor living
From a cozy front porch to an expansive backyard, outdoor spaces have become just as important as a home’s interior. Homeowners are looking for complete outdoor environments that support relaxing, entertaining, dining and wellness without sacrificing style.
One of the strongest outdoor trends we’ve seen this year is the continuation of the outdoor living room. Homeowners are asking for the same comfort and visual cohesion they expect indoors: generous seating, layered cushions, tables within reach, shade and a central focal point.
Outdoor cooking remains on the rise, but the best designs are grounded in how the homeowner actually entertains. A well-positioned grill, useful preparation surfaces and convenient serving space can be more valuable than an oversized outdoor kitchen that dominates the backyard.
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Mortgage rates average 6.58%
On July 23, 2026, Freddie Mac released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey, revealing the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 6.58%, up from the week before when it averaged 6.55%. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.74%.
“The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.58% this week,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s Chief Economist. “As market conditions continue to evolve, borrowers should remember that shopping around for a mortgage rate can make a meaningful difference, potentially saving them thousands over the loan’s lifetime.”
The 15-year FRM averaged 5.96%, up from the week before when it averaged 5.93%. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 5.87%.
Latest Issue
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July 2026
This issue of Builder and Developer features the celebration of women advancing the homebuilding industry.
Exclusive Feature
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Meghan Billings Builds with Purpose
Meghan Billings’ interest in residential construction came unexpectedly. When she set out to build her custom home, her contractor fell ill. Instead…
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New home sales edge higher
According to newly released data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau, newly built single-family home sales rose 1.6% in June to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 628,000.
“New home sales are gaining some momentum at the more affordable range of the market, with homes priced below $300,000 accounting for 23% of June sales, up from 16% a year earlier,” said the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Chief Economist Robert Dietz. “However, that price point is generally only achievable in markets with lower development and construction costs, particularly with respect to lower state and local regulatory costs.”
“The pace of new home sales has remained constrained in recent months by elevated mortgage rates,” said Bill Owens, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a home builder and remodeler from Worthington, Ohio. “Builders continue to use incentives to support sales, with NAHB survey data showing that 62% of builders offered some form of incentive in June.”
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With Exhibitor Space Sold Out, Registration is Open for the 2026 Building Industry Show, the “Not Your Typical Tradeshow” Experience
It’s official: The highly-anticipated exhibitor show floor at the upcoming Building Industry Show (BIS) has sold out all available booth space. While exhibitor space is full, registration is open for those homebuilding industry pros who want to be in the room for exclusive access to homebuilders, trade associates, service providers and other leading companies spanning Southern California’s homebuilding industry.
BIS 2026, hosted by the Building Industry Association of Southern California (BIASC), returns to Indian Wells in September for its high-energy takeover of the region’s home building scene, bringing together the nation’s top homebuilders and more than 1,000 of the industry’s biggest players for two epic days of business-to-business networking, entertainment, industry education and business opportunities and event experiences.
The nation’s top homebuilders at BIS, with more to be announced, include Lennar Homes, CBC Homes, Crestwood Communities, Davidson Communities, Meritage Homes, Pacific Communities, Richmond American, Risewell Homes, Shea Homes, Toll Brothers, Tri Pointe Homes and Warmington Residential.
Dubbed as “not your typical tradeshow,” BIS 2026 will deliver an abundance of experiences for attendees:
- Exhibitor Show Floor Experience
- Over 100 exhibitor booths with Southern California’s top homebuilders and housing professionals showcasing the latest in industry trends, products and services.
- Meet the Builder Session
- One-on-one networking opportunities connecting exhibitors, associates and decision-makers for increased opportunities to grow business.
- Casino-Style Gaming
- Casino-style gaming tables on the exhibitor floor where attendees can network and win prizes.
- Over $10,000 in Massive Prizes
- Opportunities to win a Hawaiian getaway, an ultimate pro sports tickets package, luxury golf escapes at famed Pebble Beach Resorts and Pelican Hill Golf Club, tickets to see Bruno Mars, and tickets to see Metallica at the Las Vegas Sphere.
- Styx & Chicago Live in Concert
- Attendees will receive tickets to experience two legendary rock bands performing live at Acrisure Arena.
- Builders vs. Associates Golf Tournament
- A friendly yet competitive tournament bringing together builders and industry partners for a memorable day on the course.
- Live iHeartRadio Broadcast
- A live broadcast from the show floor featuring interviews with industry leaders and exhibitors throughout the exhibitor show floor experience.
- Davidson Communities Wine Tasting & Model Home Tour
- An exclusive wine tasting experience and guided tour of a Davidson Communities model home at Cotino™, the new Storyliving by Disney © Community in the Coachella Valley.
- Industry Education Sessions
- Insightful presentations and discussions covering the latest trends, challenges, innovations and opportunities impacting homebuilding.
- Exhibitor Reception & Networking Events
- Multiple opportunities to connect with builders, developers, suppliers and decision-makers in a relaxed environment.
- Chapter Board Installation Gala Dinner
- An elegant evening recognizing incoming chapter presidents, board members and volunteer leaders.
As one attendee of past BIS events attested, “There is no trade show like BIS. The builders come to the exhibitor floor and stay due to all the important industry strategic meetings, networking programs and entertainment throughout the day and night.”
“BIS 2026 was designed with a simple goal: create an event where meaningful business relationships happen naturally – all in a fun, festive environment,” said Jeff Montejano, BIASC Chief Executive Officer. “Rather than relying on the traditional trade show format, we’ve built an experience that is engaging, interactive and centered on bringing people together. From the exhibit hall to every networking opportunity throughout the event, every element is intentionally designed to encourage conversations, strengthen partnerships and deliver lasting value for our members and exhibitors.”
BIS dates and location:
September 2-3, 2026Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa, Indian Wells
Companies interested in having a booth at the BIS exhibitor show floor are encouraged to secure a spot on the waiting list by contacting us at membership@biasc.org.How to Register as an Attendee and Boost Business Through Sponsorship
To secure a spot as an attendee as this event that is expected to fully sell out and to boost business visibility among Southern California’s homebuilding industry, visit www.BuildingIndustryShow.comAbout BIASC
The Building Industry Association of Southern California is the voice of the region’s building industry, with five chapters offering localized services to building professionals from Ventura to the southern tip of Orange County. For more than a century, the association has served its builder and associate members by anticipating, protecting, and promoting their common interests through a wide range of programs, services, councils, and committees. For more information on the Building Industry Association of Southern California, visit biasc.org.
- Exhibitor Show Floor Experience
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Starter home prices outpace buyer income
The average age of a homeowner is 44, despite Gen Z homeownership rising in 2025. However, for buyers its not finding a home that is a challenge.
According to recent research from Realtor, there are 300,000 fewer starter homes than before the pandemic. To address this, builders in 2026 are building on smaller lots at a quicker pace than the year before.
The reality is the cost to purchase a starter home has dramatically increased. The average price of a starter home has risen from $256,000 in 2019 to $344,000 today. Consumer buying power and salaries have not followed suit. The average income needed to purchase is $78,000, up from $43,000 in 2019, while over the same period median household income rose only 28.3% at an estimated $69,000 to $88,100.
“The barrier for today’s starter home buyer isn’t finding a home, it’s qualifying for one,” said Senior Economist “With mortgage rates still in the mid-6% range and the income needed to purchase a typical starter home up more than 80% since 2019, many would-be buyers are sitting on the sidelines even as listings accumulate.
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New single-family homes shift to smaller lots
The long-term trend of building single-family detached homes on smaller lots appears to have stabilized. According to an analysis from the National Association of Home Builders, new single-family detached homes have steadily shifted toward smaller lots as a direct result of builders’ efforts to improve affordability and attract homebuyers.
According to the latest Survey of Construction, the share of new homes built on smaller lots remained near record highs in 2025, following more than a decade of steadily shrinking lot sizes.
The share of small lots remained high in 2025, with close to two-thirds of new single-family detached homes sold occupying lots under 9,000 square feet. Moreover, 38% of lots were under 7,000 square feet. These shares are just slightly below the record highs established over the last two years.
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These 5 design trends are back in style
This year has been the year of comebacks; previously outdated trends are making their way back into the limelight. Interior designers weighed in on the former trends they have seen coming back in style in today’s homes.
“After years of safe neutrals and minimalism, there’s a renewed desire for personality in interiors, spaces that people can feel emotionally connected to,” said Phoebe Beachner, an interior designer at Hart Howerton.
While open floor plans have dominated this year, there has been a gradual increase in requests for closed floor plans. This shift might be remerging due to nostalgia, a desire to restore an older home to its roots or a need to confine certain activities and items to certain areas.
Maximalism, brown tones that were highly popular in the 1980s and built-in seating are also back in style.
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June AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index gains three points
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) recently released the AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index® (ABI) for June; the score at 47.3 is a three-point increase from May.
While the reading increased, a metric below 50 indicates an equal share of firms reporting decreases and increases.
The South continues its reign as the strongest market with a reading at 49.5, despite a 0.01% decrease from May. The West trails at 45.6 with the Midwest close behind at 45.1. The Northeast dropped from 46.2 in May to 44.9 reading in June.
“Architecture firms remain mired in one of the longest running downturns in the 30-plus year history of the ABI, which now stretches to 41 months without a majority of firms reporting billings growth,” said AIA Chief Economist, Richard Branch. “The uncertainty over the conflict in Iran along with high interest rates and significant labor shortages will continue to weigh on construction – and architect billings over the next several months.”
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June housing starts and completions exceed estimates
On July 17, 2026, the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development released their new residential construction report for June 2026.
According to the report, privately-owned housing completions in June were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,392,000, 3.3% above the revised May estimate of 1,347,000 and 1.5 percent% above the June 2025 rate of 1,372,000.
Privately-owned housing starts in June were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,427,000, 19% above the revised May estimate of 1,199,000 and 3.5% above the June 2025 rate of 1,379,000. Single-family housing starts in June were at a rate of 895,000, a small 0.2% decline from the revised May figure of 897,000.
Privately-owned housing units authorized by building permits in June were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,367,000, only 3% below the revised May rate of 1,410,000. Single-family authorizations in June were at a rate of 871,000, 2.4% below the revised May figure of 892,000.
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D.R. Horton realigns outlook despite strong Q3
In this challenging market, the nation’s largest homebuilder, D.R. Horton, just exceeded its Q3 expectations with 23,983 homes closed and a home sales gross margin of 20.7%. Yet, the builder is realigning its full-year revenue and closings guidance.
On the company’s Q3 earnings call on July 21, 2026, David Auld, Executive Chairman, noted that the market is at a crossroads with the weary consumer.
“Affordability constraints and cautious consumer sentiment continue to impact new home demand and we expect sales incentives to remain elevated during the fourth quarter, with incentive levels dependent on demand, mortgage rates and other market conditions,” said Auld.
D.R. Horton revised its projected 2026 consolidated revenue at $32.5 billion to $33.0 billion, down from its previous forcase of $33.5 billion to $34.5 billion.
Despite this, the builder’s homebuilding revenue for the third quarter increased 1% to $8.7 billion. Total closed homes ticked up 4% from Q2 to 23,983.
“Our experienced local operators, broad national footprint, flexible lot supply and strong balance sheet position us to compete effectively and capture demand across our markets,” said Auld We remain focused on disciplined capital allocation and are committed to delivering value to our homebuyers while enhancing long-term returns for our shareholders.”
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Michigan governor signs bills to boost homebuilding
On July 21, 2026, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed three bills into law aimed at increasing homebuilding across the state. The bills will enable the Michigan Housing Opportunity Tax Credit to work in tandem with the federal low-income housing tax credit to build more affordable housing and cut red tape to help build new homes.
“Every Michigander deserves an affordable, quality place to call home,” said Whitmer. “I’m proud to sign these bills that cut red tape, lower housing costs and expand our housing stock available to working families looking to put down roots. Over the last seven-and-a-half years, we’ve built more homes than any administration in state history and lowered costs for every Michigander, making it possible for more people to become homeowners. This year’s budget builds on that progress by investing in our neighborhoods and the people who need it most. Let’s keep working together to give every Michigander a shot at finding a place to call home.”
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Breaking Barriers and Building Better
Announced on May 31, 2026, Berkshire Hathaway will acquire homebuilding giant Taylor Morrison for $8.5 billion. The all-cash transaction values Taylor Morrison…
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