US homebuilder confidence sank this month to the lowest since September amid economic uncertainty, as well as increasing building material costs and interest rates, the National Association of Home Builders and Wells Fargo said Wednesday.
The housing market index, which covers new single-family homes, fell four points sequentially to 34 in April. The consensus was a 37 reading in a survey compiled by Bloomberg.
"Builder sentiment has fallen back in spring as buyers face ongoing elevated interest rates and growing economic uncertainty," NAHB Chairman Bill Owens said. "The year started with hopes for housing momentum growth, but risks with respect to the Iran war, energy costs, and declines for consumer confidence have slowed the market."
A US navy blockade of Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz has been enforced after the US-Iran peace negotiations in Pakistan over the weekend ended without a deal. Still, a two-week ceasefire between Washington and Tehran holds. The war started at the end of February, sending energy prices soaring amid the closure of the crucial strait.
The index gauging sales expectations decreased seven points sequentially to 42 in April, the NAHB survey showed Wednesday. The measure charting prospective buyers fell three points to 22, while current sales conditions moved down four points to 37, according to the report.
About 36% of homebuilders cut prices this month, compared with 37% in March. The average price reduction was 5% in April, down from 6% the month prior, while the use of sales incentives was 60%, down from 64%.
"With oil prices higher in the US, 62% of builders reported suppliers have increased building material costs due to higher fuel prices, including gas and diesel," NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz said. "With near-term economic risks elevated, 70% of builders reported challenges pricing homes given uncertainty about material costs."
Separately, the Mortgage Bankers Association said Wednesday mortgage applications in the US rose 1.8% in the week through Friday on a seasonally adjusted basis as rates fell. Without adjustments, applications increased 2%.
"Given the evolving situation in the Middle East and its impact on energy and commodity prices, mortgage rates declined last week," with the 30-year fixed rate hitting 6.42%, its lowest in a month, said Joel Kan, the MBA's deputy chief economist. "This dip in rates helped to support an increase in conventional refinance applications, which had declined for five consecutive weeks."
The refinance index increased 5% week over week, while the seasonally adjusted purchase index decreased 1%, according to the report.