RMI: Climbs Five Points
Remodeling Market Index Climbs Five Points, Returns to 2005 Levels
The Remodeling Market Index (RMI) climbed to 50 in the third quarter of 2012 up from 45 in the previous quarter according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). Released recently the RMI is at its highest point since the third quarter of 2005 tracking the positive trends recently seen in the rest of the housing sector.
The RMI component measuring current market conditions rose to 52 from 46 in the previous quarter while the component measuring future indicators increased to 49 from 44.
An RMI above 50 indicates that more remodelers report market activity is higher (compared to the prior quarter) than report it is lower. The overall RMI averages ratings of current remodeling activity with indicators of future activity.
"The strength of the RMI especially in owner-occupied properties shows that home owners are investing in remodels as home prices stabilize" says NAHB Remodelers Chairman George "Geep" Moore Jr. GMB CAPS GMR a remodeler from Elm Grove La. "As owners become more confident that investments in housing will hold their value they are beginning to undertake projects to improve their comfort that they had been putting off."
All three indicators of current market conditions improved: maintenance and repairs rose to 56 (from 50) minor additions and alterations to 51 (from 47) and major additions and alterations to 49 (from 42). Current market conditions improved or held steady in all four regions in the third quarter of 2012. Current remodeling activity was particularly strong in owner-occupied housing; the sub-components of the current conditions index for owner-occupied housing were all well over 50 ranging between 55 and 60.
Future market indicators in every region but the Northeast experienced gains from the previous quarter: Northeast 38 (from 41); Midwest 50 (from 46); South 52 (from 46); and West 52 (from 42). All indicators of future market conditions rose: calls for bids 48 (from 44); amount of work committed for next three months 46 (from 43); backlog of remodeling jobs 50 (from 46); and appointments for proposals 51 (from 43).
"The improvement in the RMI provides more evidence that the remodeling industry is making the orderly recovery from its low point in 2009 as we've been expecting" says NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe. "Although remodeling projects over $25000 are now showing some signs of strength they are still lagging behind smaller property alterations and maintenance and repair jobs. The recovery of the remodeling market in general and large projects in particular continues to be constrained by factors such as tight credit and problematic appraisals."
For more information about remodeling visit www.nahb.org/remodel.
The RMI component measuring current market conditions rose to 52 from 46 in the previous quarter while the component measuring future indicators increased to 49 from 44.
An RMI above 50 indicates that more remodelers report market activity is higher (compared to the prior quarter) than report it is lower. The overall RMI averages ratings of current remodeling activity with indicators of future activity.
"The strength of the RMI especially in owner-occupied properties shows that home owners are investing in remodels as home prices stabilize" says NAHB Remodelers Chairman George "Geep" Moore Jr. GMB CAPS GMR a remodeler from Elm Grove La. "As owners become more confident that investments in housing will hold their value they are beginning to undertake projects to improve their comfort that they had been putting off."
All three indicators of current market conditions improved: maintenance and repairs rose to 56 (from 50) minor additions and alterations to 51 (from 47) and major additions and alterations to 49 (from 42). Current market conditions improved or held steady in all four regions in the third quarter of 2012. Current remodeling activity was particularly strong in owner-occupied housing; the sub-components of the current conditions index for owner-occupied housing were all well over 50 ranging between 55 and 60.
Future market indicators in every region but the Northeast experienced gains from the previous quarter: Northeast 38 (from 41); Midwest 50 (from 46); South 52 (from 46); and West 52 (from 42). All indicators of future market conditions rose: calls for bids 48 (from 44); amount of work committed for next three months 46 (from 43); backlog of remodeling jobs 50 (from 46); and appointments for proposals 51 (from 43).
"The improvement in the RMI provides more evidence that the remodeling industry is making the orderly recovery from its low point in 2009 as we've been expecting" says NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe. "Although remodeling projects over $25000 are now showing some signs of strength they are still lagging behind smaller property alterations and maintenance and repair jobs. The recovery of the remodeling market in general and large projects in particular continues to be constrained by factors such as tight credit and problematic appraisals."
For more information about remodeling visit www.nahb.org/remodel.
