Housing Halt

Splits and Caps Daily: Action for Agents

February 20, 2025

📈 Market Move:

Builders Balk

Homebuilders just got a reality check. New construction tanked nearly 10% in January, and builder confidence is fading fast. Why? Higher material costs, labor shortages, and—of course—mortgage rates still acting like they own the place.

The big stat: Housing completions outpaced new starts by 285,000, meaning builders are wrapping up projects but not eager to start new ones. That’s a sign they’re nervous about selling homes in the near future.

What’s spooking them? New federal policies could drive up costs and shrink the workforce, especially with immigration changes threatening a labor pool the construction industry relies on. At the same time, price-cutting incentives are fading—only 26% of builders dropped prices in February, down from 30% in January.

The silver lining? Existing home inventory is still tight, so demand isn’t dead. And if the Fed finally chills on rates later this year, things could pick up. But for now, builders are playing defense.

🌟Quote of the Day:

"Don’t be afraid to give up the good to go for the great." — Kenny Rogers

⚡ Quick Win:

The “Dead Lead” Check-In: Go through your CRM and find three leads that ghosted you six months ago. Hit them with, “Hey [name], I know we talked last year—are you still thinking about moving?” Deals don’t die, they just hibernate.

🎉 Fun Fact of the Day: 

The Eiffel Tower’s Secret Apartment – Gustave Eiffel built himself a private apartment at the top of the Eiffel Tower. It wasn’t for rent—just a flex to invite VIP guests and enjoy the best view in Paris.

📚 Book Recommendation:

"The Bezos Blueprint" by Carmine Gallo—Want to think (and communicate) like the guy who turned an online bookstore into a trillion-dollar empire? The Bezos Blueprint breaks down how Jeff Bezos used storytelling, simplicity, and clear messaging to build Amazon into a behemoth.

Here’s the play: Bezos wasn’t just a business genius—he was a communication ninja. No bloated PowerPoints, no corporate jargon. Just sharp writing, clear thinking, and a relentless focus on the customer. Gallo dissects Bezos’ emails, shareholder letters, and decision-making processes to show how you can apply the same principles to your business, pitches, and even your everyday emails.

Takeaway? If you can’t explain it simply, you probably don’t understand it well enough. And if you master the art of clarity, you’ll sell more, lead better, and maybe—just maybe—build something world-changing.

Your future self is watching—make them proud with what you do today.

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