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From Feb. 9 through Feb. 12, the National Association of Home Builders will be hosting an all-virtual, signature event called IBSx. This experience will take the place of the planned in-person International Builders’ Show, as NAHB shifts to a format that will provide virtual opportunities to learn, connect, and discover new products, while keeping attendees and exhibitors safe during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
An early-bird IBSx expo pass is free for NAHB members and costs $50 for nonmembers.
In addition, the National Kitchen & Bath Association’s Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS), which has run in conjunction with IBS for the past eight years under the Design & Construction Week brand, will also take place virtually. IBSx registrants will have access to engage with KBIS exhibits.
Among the attractions visitors can explore virtually is The New American Home 2021 by Phil Kean Designs. The three-level property showcases numerous ultra-energy- efficient, net-zero features, in addition to an innovative exercise room and luxurious summer kitchen.
As with IBS in person, IBSx will showcase new products at its virtual New Product Pavilion. Among the online stages will be the High Performance Building Zone, where registrants can watch live demonstrations of the latest construction methods and learn about the building science behind high-performance building techniques.
Finally, the popular education sessions will include real-time Q & A with speakers and the option to stream sessions later to watch at your convenience.
Learn more and register for IBSx at buildersshow.com
More Passive Home Shoppers Are Becoming Active Buyers
Recent polling shows that 13% of American adults are considering a home purchase right now. Of those, 50% have moved beyond merely planning and are actively trying to find a home to buy—a significant uptick from the 44% in that position a year ago, as reported in a similar survey.
Geographically, the data indicate that larger shares of prospective buyers in every region are actively trying to find a home to buy, compared with a year ago, most notably in the Northeast and West, while the Midwest is less active (see chart above).
The gains suggest that record-low interest rates are enough to convert some passive homebuyers into active buyers. As the number of active buyers searching for homes increases, the length of time spent searching also grows. In the third quarter of 2020, 62% of buyers who are actively engaged in the purchase process spent three months or longer looking for a home, up from 58% a year earlier.
