Building for the Future Newsletter

Representing Assumption, Lafourche, St. Mary, & Terrebonne Parishes

January 2026 Issue

2025 New Residential Permit End of the Year

Member Benefit to Builder & Remodeler Members of LHBA

HBA Rebates has partnered with dozens of the industry’s leading Manufacturers to strengthen loyalty with HBA Members.

This free State & Local HBA benefit, the LHBA Member Rebate Program, is available to all active Builder & Remodeler members.

Are you signed up to receive your rebates?

Existing Home Sales Inch Higher in November

Existing home sales rose for the third consecutive month in November as lower mortgage rates continued to boost home sales, according to the National Association of Realtors. But the increase remained modest as mortgage rates still stayed above 6% while down from recent highs.

Total existing home sales, including single-family homes, townhomes, and condos, rose 0.5% last month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.13 million, the highest level since February. November sales were still 1% lower than a year ago.

First-time home buyers accounted for 30% of home sales in November, down from 32% in October but unchanged from a year ago. The share of all-cash sales last month was 27% of transactions, down from 29% in October but up from 25% a year ago. All-cash buyers are less affected by changes in interest rates.

The median sales price of existing homes sold in November was $409,200, up 1.2% from last year. This marks the 29th consecutive month of year-over-year increases. The median condominium/co-op price in November was up 0.1% from a year ago at $358,600.

Existing home sales in November were mixed across the four major U.S. regions. Sales rose in the Northeast (+4.1%) and South (+1.1%), fell in the Midwest (-2.0%), and remained unchanged in the West. On a year-over-year basis, home sales were unchanged in the Northeast and up in the South (2.8%), while down in the Midwest (-3.0%) and West (-1.3%).

The existing home inventory level was 1.43 million units in November, down 5.9% from October but up 7.5% from a year ago.

Homelessness Hits Record-High


In 2024, the number of people experiencing homelessness increased to the highest estimate in the history of HUD’s Annual Point-in-Time (PIT) Count. Approximately 771,500 people were recorded as living in an emergency shelter, a transitional housing program, or in unsheltered locations across the country. This count increased 18% compared to 2023, a notable increase compared to previous annual increases.

Senate Confirms Two Housing Leaders


NAHB congratulates Frank Cassidy and Joseph Gormley on their recent Senate confirmation to top government posts. Cassidy was confirmed as HUD Assistant Secretary for Housing and Federal Housing Commissioner, while Gormley will lead Ginnie Mae as its new president. NAHB supported the nominations of the two housing finance leaders and looks forward to working with them to implement policies that will expand homeownership and rental opportunities for all Americans. 

FHFA Announces Higher Loan Limits


The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has announced that the baseline conforming loan limit for mortgages acquired by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in 2026 will rise to $832,750, an increase of $26,250 from 2025. Higher loan limits will be in effect in higher-cost areas as well. The new ceiling loan limit in high-cost markets will be $1,249,125, which is 150% of $832,750.

Offsite Housing for Affordability


A growing number of community-based organizations (CBOs) are turning to offsite construction as a solution to the housing affordability crisis.

According to research from Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies (JCHS), offsite housing offers CBOs a quicker and less costly way to build quality affordable residential housing. The common misconception that this method – also known as “factory-built housing” – has inflexible design options is proven wrong by this research. Factory-built housing comes in a wide array of styles and can be highly adaptable, making it an appropriate option for building affordable neighborhoods. 

Top Color Trends for 2026


Paint manufacturers have announced their colors of the year for 2026. Color experts at Sherwin-Williams, for example, named Universal Khaki as their color of the year.

Other top choices among the neutrals include: Dutch Boy (Melodious Ivory), Minwax (Special Walnut) and Pantone (Cloud Dancer). Selections among the more luxurious hues include: Graham & Brown (Divine Damson), Benjamin Moore (Silhouette), Krylon (Matte Coffee Bean), Clark + Kensington (Hazelnut Crunch) and Glidden (Warm Mahogany). Choices among trendy greens include: Behr (Hidden Gem), Dunn-Edwards (Midnight Garden) and Valspar (Warm Eucalyptus). 

Don't Miss AI & Tech Studio at IBS 2026 in Orlando

If you’re heading to the 2026 IBS in Orlando, then make tech a priority, including the AI & Tech Studio, a new IBS Education format. Sessions are designed to let attendees use the latest tech, compare tools and see real-world applications. Register for an Expo+Education Pass to attend AI & Tech Studio and other tech and AI-focused IBS Education sessions. The pass also gives you access to the 1,700+ exhibitors and specialty zones with the hottest new tech products on the market. Learn more and explore more education oppor- tunities at BuildersShow.com.


Judge Rules Termination
of BRIC Program Unlawful

A federal judge has ruled that FEMA’s termination of the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program was unlawful and issued a permanent injunction restoring the program. BRIC provides federal grants to state and local governments for projects that reduce risks from natural disasters. NAHB has been pushing Congress to pass the Promoting Resilient Buildings Act, which would allow jurisdictions to qualify for BRIC funds if they have adopted one of the latest two code cycles. States may feel pressure to adopt the very latest codes to stay competitive for BRIC funding. 

SLHBA is a professional organization which strives to unite and represent the building industry in St. Mary, Assumption, Lafourche and Terrebonne parishes. SLHBA is dedicated to the idea of quality housing at affordable prices, thus protecting the “American Dream” of homeownership.

Southeastern Louisiana Home Builders Association | 147 Capital Blvd Suite A | Houma, LA 70360 US

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