President Donald Trump recently put pressure on homebuilders to increase construction nationwide, given the issues with construction in the country. In a post on his Truth Social platform in early October, he accused major builders of hoarding lots to prop up prices-likening them to OPEC, which restricts oil output to maintain high prices. "They're my friends ... but now, they, can get Financing, and they have to start building Homes. They're sitting on 2 Million empty lots, A RECORD," Trump wrote.
Homebuilders in the U.S. are cautiously optimistic as mortgage rates have dropped near 6%, offering a potential boost to a sluggish housing market. Despite disappointing housing permit data, this dip in rates could revitalize homebuilding activity, which has been weighed down by elevated mortgage rates and growing home inventory. Housing permits, which have been declining since early 2022, took another downturn today with the latest housing starts data.