John Mcmanus

1 week ago | thebuildersdaily.com | John McManus |John Mcmanus

After two decades scaling high-volume operations for public builders focused on primarily on first-time and entry-level homebuyers, Randy Mickle is bringing a different kind of ambition to his new role at Drees Homes. Now Southeast Regional President, Mickle joins a multigenerational, family-led company as it pushes to diversify its offerings — including more affordable, smartly sized homes — while retaining the customized, move-up experience that has defined its brand.

1 week ago | thebuildersdaily.com | John McManus |John Mcmanus

Homebuilding's seasonal calendar has turned to summer. For much of the new-home construction industry, the heat is on. The spring selling season—typically the most robust period for new home sales—underwhelmed. As homebuilders look to salvage the remainder of the year, clouds of uncertainty dominate the outlook. A sharp June drop in builder confidence marked the third-lowest reading since 2012, according to the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index.

1 week ago | thebuildersdaily.com | John McManus |John Mcmanus

In a housing market still holding its breath—pressured by rates, tariffs, and a persistent affordability crunch—Lennar’s Q2 2025 earnings performance dropped a flare across the landscape. The company kept pace with a better-than-expected $2.22 earnings per share on $8.8 billion in revenue. However, make no mistake: Lennar's volume came at a price. Also, make no mistake about this: Lennar's price will weigh heavily on others in its ecosystem of business partners and rivals.

1 week ago | thebuildersdaily.com | John McManus |John Mcmanus

Insurance has moved from a background detail in new-home building to a front-line business imperative. Stark numbers make this clear. Since 2019, U.S. home insurance premiums have jumped 38%, outpacing homeowner income growth by a wide 16-point margin, according to Zillow Research. In climate-risk hotspots such as Miami, Sacramento, and Jacksonville, premiums have soared by more than 50%.

2 weeks ago | thebuildersdaily.com | John McManus |John Mcmanus

The numbers are in. They’re staggering, full of blistering truths and takeaways that quantify the epic opportunity cost of homebuilding labor capacity constraint from the ground up. A new report by the Home Builders Institute (HBI) and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), pegs the economic loss from the nation’s skilled labor crisis at nearly $6.3 billion annually in lost residential construction output.