9/11/25
The housing market has no shortage of moving parts in 2025, but two areas—rentals and remodeling—stand out as both challenges and opportunities for builders.
INSIGHTS AND TRENDS BLOG
View commentary from our experts on current topics at the nexus of homebuilding construction and design.
Search our blog
Search
9/10/25
During our August Market Intelligence Webinar, Zonda Chief Economist Ali Wolf provided her analysis of the current housing and building economy and revealed both risks and opportunities for builders as they navigate an uncertain environment.
8/18/25
In recent years, there has been a shift toward individualism in home design. Homebuyers are looking for spaces that cater to their own needs and preferences.
6/25/25
A home is often the single largest investment people make, and as such, there is no purchase more likely to be impacted by how someone feels about the state of the economy.
6/11/25
In mid-2025, the U.S. housing market is persevering through a challenging period. Despite certain economic positives including job creation and consumer spending, there is still concern in the air due to inflation, interest rates, home prices and rising construction costs.
5/30/25
In today's competitive housing market, a dynamic social media presence is not just beneficial—it’s critical. Social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok and others are powerful tools that can enhance visibility, engagement and ultimately business growth.
5/29/25
Any successful business owner knows the importance of evaluating strategies for the future. It’s no different for homebuilders. Even builders who have built successful businesses over the years have to consider the changing needs of new generations of homebuyers.
5/21/25
At Builders FirstSource, veterans play a vital role in our organization. We are honored to work alongside individuals from the military community across all levels of our company.
3/6/25
Builders FirstSource is excited to celebrate Women in Construction Week as part of Women’s History Month. Women continue to make a significant impact throughout BFS, including our lumber yards, field support centers, showrooms, manufacturing facilities and more.
3/3/25
When you’re managing building schedules, land acquisition and product offerings, you need a solid grasp on the broader housing market. This includes shifting resale conditions, the competitive rental environment and consumer appetite for remodeling.
2/24/25
Few factors loom larger over economic conditions than the Federal Reserve and its monetary policy, which ultimately shape homebuyer demand, financing costs and your own strategic decisions.
1/22/25
This year’s remodeling trends focus on sustainability, personalization and technological integration. Whether you’re planning large-scale construction projects or smaller updates, here are some of the top home remodeling trends to expect in 2025.
12/18/24
Partnering with an experienced kitchen designer can prove to be an invaluable asset to help your project become a success. Here are five benefits a kitchen designer can offer a builder working on a kitchen project.
11/13/24
As we head toward 2025, the rental and multi-family housing markets are experiencing dynamic shifts that will shape the strategies of developers, investors and homebuilders alike.
11/8/24
The housing market remains complex, with notable dynamics affecting both supply and demand. As of late 2024, there are key trends in employment, inflation, interest rates, and inventory that homebuilders must navigate to stay competitive.
10/23/24
Matt Risinger and his team have been hard at work throughout 2024 building a state-of-the-art, high-performance home in Austin, Texas utilizing the building science principles he’s known for, as well as BFS Digital Tools.
9/30/24
Sustainability is a growing priority in the construction industry, with an increasing demand for eco-friendly materials that minimize environmental impact while maintaining performance and durability.
8/14/24
The remodeling market is an area of the building economy that isn’t currently at its strongest. However, when looking toward the near future, there's a strong case to be made for optimism toward remodeling.
8/1/24
In our recent Market Intelligence Webinar, Ali Wolf, the chief economist at Zonda, provided an insightful overview of the current state of the housing market and the broader economy. Here’s an overview of many of the most important datapoints she referenced about the state of the housing market as of July.
7/31/24
We all know homebuilding is a cyclical industry, which means, as a business owner, homebuilders must be prepared to work through the slower periods to be able to prosper when the industry is at its strongest.
7/16/24
Is it really possible to cut costs and inefficiencies at the same time? Often, the answer is yes. Here are five common ways builders can become more efficient and save money to help reduce homebuilding cycle times.
6/25/24
Effectively implementing solutions to address the skilled labor shortage requires understanding the complex causes that led to it and continue to exacerbate it.
6/11/24
With everyone so busy, where do you start your search? Then, how do you vet the people you find? Here are a few tips to get you started.
5/16/24
Faced with a labor shortage, the building industry sees a solution in a valuable yet sometimes overlooked workforce segment—military veterans.
4/15/24
Home prices are high, making it more difficult for homebuyers to purchase homes as easily as they once did. Here are the ways people are reacting in the current market when they're looking to buy a home.
4/4/24
Economic conditions, including interest rates and employment levels, significantly influence consumer behavior in the housing market.
4/2/24
Learn why high-quality millwork is a worthwhile investment in the value of a home, and get tips for blending diverse styles for a creative but cohesive look.
3/6/24
Builders FirstSource is proud to put the spotlight on the women of our team, who make vital contributions to our company every day in our lumberyards, corporate offices, delivery trucks, and everywhere in between.
2/23/24
What do you do when you need to figure out how to cut 10% off a build project without compromising the quality? The go-to question always seems to be, “What are you willing to give up?” But is this really the right question?
2/13/24
Black Americans have made a tremendous impact on the building industry. This year, we recognize the "Architect to the Stars" Paul Revere Williams and our current team members.
1/24/24
As we enter 2024, several exciting trends are emerging in the world of home remodeling. Home remodeling is a great way to upgrade a living space and increase a home’s value.
12/20/23
Windows play a vital role in weather protection and energy efficiency for every home. Get tips for selecting and installing resilient, high-performance windows.
11/10/23
Even with today’s high home prices and high mortgage rates, many people are still willing to move — largely because of major life events such as marriages, births, and retirements.
11/9/23
Mortgage rates have been going up since last year. In the October Market Intelligence webinar, Ali Wolf, Zonda’s Chief Economist, says this is because of Federal Reserve rate increases, inflation, and dysfunction in the mortgage-backed securities market.
10/30/23
For builders of new homes, the pressure to cut costs has many looking at millwork – such as doors, windows and moulding – as a potential area to save; however, those details can also help motivate buyers to purchase smaller homes.
9/13/23
Mortgage interest rates are over 7% after being between 6-7% for about a year. Monthly payments have increased 50% to 70% just since the beginning of last year. As Ali Wolf, Zonda’s Chief Economist, put it in the August Market Intelligence webinar, “This is a very clear and very dramatic affordability shock.”
9/8/23
Despite many signs of optimism in the housing market, there are still challenges for builders to deal with. Being aware of those challenges and developing a strategy to overcome them is a key component of a business’s success.
5/18/23
While the market appears to be improving and affordability is getting better as well, they're still significant challenges. We'll examine affordability and supply more broadly and then show you strategies that might be valuable to builders going forward.
5/8/23
In the April Market Intelligence Webinar, Zonda Chief Economist Ali Wolf discussed the latest economic numbers related to the housing market, and why there is optimism among her team for the future of the industry, particularly in certain regions of the country.
3/14/23
Every March, we are proud to celebrate Women’s History Month to honor women’s contributions to history, culture and society – as well as spotlight the many talented women who help shape who we are at Builders FirstSource.
2/15/23
February is Black History Month, a time to recognize the many contributions of Black Americans whose groundbreaking accomplishments in construction and design have helped shape our industry.
1/27/23
The four-day event established itself as an industry-leading tradeshow, complete with expert-led education sessions, next-level exhibits, and world-class entertainment.
1/24/23
Remodeling trends are known to come and go as different times call for different projects. Who thought so many people would want a home office before 2020? As we get into 2023, we’re noticing a few remodeling trends taking hold.
11/29/22
Matt Risinger and his team recently built a house in the Austin, Texas area using Builders FirstSource’s READY-FRAME® technology, and it was featured on an episode of The Build Show.
11/23/22
In many markets, housing sales rates are actually stronger than 2019, and some even stronger than 2021. Let's take a look at the data to see which parts of the country are performing the best.
11/22/22
Zonda Chief Economist Ali Wolf recently shared information on housing sales rates by price bracket in many of the country's major markets as well as incentives offered by builders, and how those are tied to successful sales rates.
9/22/22
The recent headwinds in the housing market have many flashing back to the crisis in 2008. but there are several important differences between what is happening now and what happened then.
8/12/22
Whether you’re using new materials or the same types of siding people have used for decades, you can build something fitting the latest contemporary styles.
7/12/22
Historic buildings yearn for preservation. Some need a little restoration and remodeling, while others are being rehabilitated for a new purpose.
5/31/22
Veterans are an important part of the Builders FirstSource team. We're proud to work with members of the military community at every level of our organization from coast to coast.
5/6/22
The Federal Reserve is raising interest rates to help battle inflation. What does that mean for the building industry?
5/6/22
Millennials are reaching the age where they're buying larger houses. What does that mean for the housing market, and how are builders responding?
5/4/22
Enhancing outdoor spaces is a big trend in home remodeling, and more and more people are choosing composite decking due to its versatility, simplicity, and increasing design options.
3/31/22
We're is proud to include thousands of talented women across the country among our team members. For Women in Construction week, we asked for nominations to highlight some of the best. We received hundreds of nominations, so it was tough to pick only a few, but here are some of the best you can expect to work with at Builders FirstSource.
12/27/21
What are homeowners doing to improve their homes heading into 2022? We talked to designers, analyzed surveys and other data to see what’s important to people as we venture into the new year.
11/23/21
According to the latest industry data, new home sales are a strength but supply issues persist.
11/12/21
The supply chain remains a problem for the building industry, forcing companies to adjust and innovate to remain efficient.
10/1/21
Historic homes can be unique and charming, but they also present challenges when it comes to renovating and updating. However, when you take the appeal of an older property and the skill of professional builders who know how to apply their talents to pre-modern structures, you can create something special.
9/27/21
Demand for housing remains high, but what are the challenges that builders are facing to keep up with the demand? In this article, we’ll review what builders are saying they’re working to overcome as we head into the last quarter of the year.
9/15/21
We’ve discussed how the housing market fared during the first half of the year, but what does the balance of 2021 look like? In this article, we’ll take a look at recent new home sales, current inventory and housing starts to assess the strength of the market for the remainder of the year.
6/15/21
Move-up buyers—not first-time homebuyers—are dominating the market today. And it makes sense. Tethers to the office have been loosened for many, making certain buyers well-positioned to drive up prices.
6/11/21
As we approach the second half of 2021, the world is beginning to look a lot different. At the end of May, half of U.S. adults had been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Restrictions are being loosened across the country. So, what does this mean for the housing industry?
12/22/20
The housing industry has experienced record new home sales in 2020. However, housing affordability remains a nationwide issue with significant, far-reaching impacts.
11/23/20
Smart practices for smoother remodel projects: The worldwide pandemic is having unpredictable effects on global supply chains that can make planning and estimating remodel projects more challenging. Here are some tips and practices that can help bring more certainty to your projects.
11/23/20
Practical steps for increasing referrals and repeat business: Here are four practical tips for building, maintaining, and amplifying your reputation for doing great work.
11/23/20
Four expert tips for taking things to the next level: Three seasoned remodeling pros recently sat down for a webinar panel discussion with Builders FirstSource. Here are some highlights from the lessons, insights, and advice they shared.
11/19/20
Residential—both new and resale—has emerged as the clear winner of the major real estate verticals during 2020.
11/10/20
The miraculous recovery of the housing market, combined with increasingly strong demand during the second half of this year, have hit the EWP industry particularly hard.
10/29/20
When manufacturers hit pause back in March and April, no one expected the market to rebound as quickly as it did.
10/29/20
The housing market’s unexpected resilience during an economy shaken by a worldwide pandemic surprised us all.
10/29/20
Back in March and April, the future was not looking bright for new home sales.
10/22/20
Don’t be caught off-guard. Get the building material intel you need to plan your next residential project.
10/8/20
Matt Risinger, CEO of Risinger Build, teamed up with three industry experts in Dallas at Builders FirstSource's 300,000 square-foot custom mill shop for an episode of Build Show LIVE.
9/18/20
Shedding light on 2020's lumber market conditions and challenges (through the prism of rock’s ultimate supergroup, The Traveling Wilburys)
9/11/20
Insight into what’s happened thus far, how we got here and what needs to happen for the madness to end.
9/3/20
Entry-level home sales soar as builders knuckle down to keep up with demand.
9/3/20
These are difficult times for the home building industry, no question, but the reality is our industry is healthier than ever.
8/21/20
Chances are you’ve started to “feel the pinch” when it comes to supply shortages. Builders FirstSource has three tips to prevent the situation from becoming too painful.
8/18/20
Our Window Specialists leverage their knowledge and experience to make any window-related project run smoothly. Here are 5 ways Builders FirstSource’s Window Specialists can help improve your window replacement project.
3/3/20
We are thrilled to introduce Shannon Homes Design Build as Builders FirstSource’s first Featured Pro!
7/20/19
Learn 6 ways to use interior trim to beautify and enhance any room.
2/10/19
You only get one first impression, so make it count. Read up on Builders FirstSource’s advice for choosing an entry door that enhances rather than distracts from a home’s exterior.
11/15/18
Highlight architecture, spotlight landscaping, enhance safety, and present your project in the best light possible at all hours of the day.
9/15/18
Whether you’re starting from scratch with new construction or renovating a fixer upper, read our tips on how to incorporate Modern Farmhouse details into your house.
9/10/18
Learn some tips and tricks to building a home that’s move-in ready for the whole family.
5/10/18
Whether you’re adding a pass-through window in order to enjoy an al fresco aperitif or for easier access to appetizers in the kitchen, we’re big fans of bringing the outdoors in.
4/28/18
Decks have become one of the hottest additions people make to improve outdoor living and raise the value of their homes.
4/25/18
Timeless, elegant, and universally flattering, black is an excellent color to add to any wardrobe – or any window. Get in the black with this chic design trend.
3/25/18
This design trend traces its roots to the Prairie School of the early 1900’s, and it’s coming back in a big way.
3/15/18
Follow our easy steps on how to pick a roof color that you’ll be happy with for years to come.
2/15/18
Discover one of the easiest ways to enhance architecture, add color, and upgrade the function of any room.
2/1/18
They say the devil’s in the details; hardware finishes can make or break a room, so here’s some advice about choosing the right one for your next project.
2/1/18
Top ways to easily boost a home's curb appeal without breaking the bank.
1/22/18
How to incorporate this trendy wall cladding into new construction and renovations.
1/15/18
Learn about the differences, applications, and history of these common, but often confused, wall moldings.
12/20/17
Read about how to keep grass green and healthy long after the sod is laid.
12/20/17
Read about the benefits and versatility of one of the hottest backsplash products on the market.
12/10/17
Get up to speed on designing for barn doors in new construction and remodeling projects.
10/15/17
Rely on Builders FirstSource for a solution that works for you. We have the resources and talent to execute your vision.
6/15/17
Plenty of color, design, and glass options can help communicate a dreamy welcoming message.
12/20/16
Here are some ideas to get you started on a chromatic-tiled road of inventive expression.
11/20/16
Thinking about making your home more energy efficient? Here are 5 ways to start.
10/20/16
Learn about the advantages of fiber cement siding and how it matches up against the competition.
No Results Found
Reset Search
Load More