Posts by Connie Dahl
Good and Bad News on Lumber Production and Tariffs
Recent developments on the lumber front indicate that increased logging from federal lands and higher tariffs are in the offing later this year. Opportunities for Increased Domestic Lumber Production In a move that NAHB has encouraged, President Trump signed an executive order that calls for a 25% increase in timber production from federal lands. NAHB…
Read MoreCAPS Designation Classes coming to HBA on May 13, 14, 15th
Metro Denver HBA University is proud to announce the return of in-person training for NAHB’s Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) credential program. These courses teach the technical, business management, and customer service skills essential to competing in the fastest growing segment of the residential remodeling industry: home modifications for the aging-in-place. The baby boom generation has…
Read MoreHow Rising Costs Affect Home Affordability
Housing affordability remains a critical issue, with 74.9% of U.S. households unable to afford a median-priced new home in 2025, according to NAHB’s latest analysis. With a median price of $459,826 and a 30-year mortgage rate of 6.5%, this translates to around 100.6 million households priced out of the market, even before accounting for further…
Read MoreCapitol Close Up: 3/11/2025
Tariffs will Impact Home Building The National Association of Home Builders is closely tracking the impact of President Trump’s tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico and China. According to the NAHB, the new tariffs on America’s largest trading partners are projected to raise the cost of imported construction materials by more $3 billion, possibly increasing…
Read MoreHUD Secretary Vows to Work with Builders to Cut Regulations, Boost Housing Supply
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Scott Turner today said he would work to reduce regulatory burdens to ease America’s housing affordability crisis and help builders to construct more attainable, affordable housing the nation sorely needs. In one of his first official speaking engagements after being sworn in as HUD secretary earlier this month,…
Read MoreHBA Advocacy Committees’ Impacts
The HBA of Metro Denver Advocacy team continues to work tirelessly to make sure our developers, builders and associate members have the most favorable business environment possible to bring new homes to market. HBA staff and our members have collectively combatted ballot questions, detrimental changes to the metro districts, construction tax proposals, inclusionary zoning ordinances,…
Read MoreCAHB Colorado Close Up 2/25/2025
Construction-Litigation Reform Bill Introduced, CAHB GAC takes Position on 9 Bills Construction-Litigation Reform Bill Introduced Last week, Rep. Shannon Bird (D-Westminster), along with Senate President James Coleman (D-Denver), introduced House Bill 25-1272. The proposal, titled Construction Defects and Middle Market Housing, will likely be the bill that our industry and the stakeholders that have…
Read MoreNAHB Issues Statement on President Trump Delaying Implementation of Tariffs on Goods from Canada and Mexico
Carl Harris, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a custom home builder from Wichita, Kan., issued the following statement after President Trump announced a delay of the proposed tariffs on products from Canada and Mexico: “We commend President Trump for reaching an agreement with Canada and Mexico to delay the proposed…
Read MoreA Pause for the Fed
By Robert Dietz on January 29, 2025 In a widely anticipated announcement, the Federal Reserve paused on rate cuts at the conclusion of its January meeting, holding the federal funds rate in the 4.25% to 4.5% range. The Fed will continue to reduce its balance sheet, including holdings of mortgage-backed securities. The Fed noted the…
Read MorePodcast: Trump Kicks Off Second Term with Focus on Housing
On the latest episode of NAHB’s podcast, Housing Developments, CEO Jim Tobin and COO Paul Lopez discuss President Donald Trump’s initial days in office as he kicked off his second term with a focus on housing. On his first day in office, Trump sent out an executive order that stated the need to fix housing — and…
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