The new home construction boom is running out of steam
Residential building permits fell 1.7% in the year ending July 2026 and are running 19.4% below the pre-pandemic trend line, marking a post-pandemic low. Detached single-family home completions dropped 2.5% in 2025 to about 817,000, the third straight annual decline and the lowest total since 2020.
Why it matters — A slowing new-home construction market and deepening housing shortage could affect housing inventory and affordability trends relevant to Zillow's listings and marketplace activity.