Survey Shows Credit Woes Threaten Housing Recovery Oct 1, 2009

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Nearly two-thirds of single-family home builders are reporting a severe lack of credit for housing production, threatening the fragile housing recovery before it has time to take hold, according to a new builder survey of acquisition, development, and construction (AD&C) financing conducted by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).

In the latest NAHB survey of AD&C financing conditions, 63% of builders stated that the availability of credit for single-family construction loans worsened in 2Q 2009.

Builders reporting deteriorating credit conditions cited the following reasons: 80% said that lenders are lowering the allowable loan-to-value ratio, 76% reported that lenders are not making new loans, 75% stated that lenders are reducing the amount they are willing to lend, and 62% said that lenders are requiring personal guarantees or collateral not related to the project.

Two-thirds of respondents reported putting single-family construction projects on hold until the financing climate gets better.

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