The National Association of Home Builders' NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index rose to 35 in August 2026 from 34 in July, beating expectations of 33. Current single-family sales conditions improved to 39 from 37, while the index for the next six months was unchanged at 43 and prospective buyer traffic was unchanged. Even with the increase, builder sentiment remained weak, staying below 40 for a 16th straight month and below the 50 level associated with favorable business conditions for more than two years. Builders cited high mortgage rates, rising construction and fuel costs, economic uncertainty, and continued reliance on price cuts and incentives as pressures on demand and profit margins.