Shrek's Swamp Ain't the Only One Feeling Soggy: Homebuilder Blues!

Ogre Sized Problems for Tiny Houses!

Hey everybody! It's Donkey reporting live from… well not live 'cause I can't hold a microphone AND talk at the same time. But I got the scoop on something that's making even Shrek a little grumpy: the housing market! Turns out these fancy homebuilders are feeling down in the dumps like when you realize you're out of waffles. This 'National Association of Home Builders' thingy they got this 'Housing Market Index,' and it's lower than my self esteem after a fight with Dragon. Apparently anything below 50 is bad news... and it's way below that! Like 'stuck in the mud' levels of bad.

Is it a Dragon? Is it a Donkey? No it's Bad Sales!

Now I ain't no fancy economist but even I can see that if folks ain't buyin' houses somethin's gone rotten. They say it's 'cause of these 'mortgage rates' bein' higher than Dragon's temper. Plus there's all this 'economic uncertainty' which sounds like somethin' you'd find in Shrek's outhouse. Basically people are scared to buy which means less hay for everyone including your favorite talking donkey!

Builders are Cutting Prices like Puss Cuts Z's!

To try and get people off their… well you know… these builders are doin' the only thing they can: slashin' prices! Like Puss in Boots with his little sword! Turns out a whopping 37% of them are cuttin' prices. That's more than the amount of times I ask 'Are we there yet?' on a long trip! They're hoping to tempt folks into buyin' but it sounds like even free waffles with every house ain't doin' the trick.

A Recession? Oh that's Just Great!

This 'Robert Dietz' fella some big shot at the 'NAHB,' says things are lookin' grim for next year. He's predictin' fewer houses bein' built. Fewer houses means fewer places for folks to live! Where are all these soon to be homeless people gonna go? Are they gonna move into the swamp? There's only room for one ogre and maybe a talking donkey… and definitely a dragon with some donkey dragon babies. I need to talk to Shrek about building an extension!

Lennar's Lament: Even Big Houses Get the Blues!

Even the big boys like this 'Lennar' company are feelin' the heat. Their prices are droppin' faster than I can eat a plate of parfaits. One of their bosses even said they're 'incentivizing sales to enable affordability.' Translation: they're basically beggin' people to buy houses! Maybe they should hire me as a salesman. I'm very persuasive... just ask Dragon.

South and West Hit Harder Than My Feelings!

They say the South and West are getting hit the worst. Those are the places where most of the houses are built so that is not good news. I always thought those states were great; after all they are as warm as my heart when I'm around my beloved Dragon! But if no one can afford these houses where are they going to go? They will be moving into Shrek's swamp. Oh no no no Dragon would not like that...