With over 35 years as a full-time real estate broker, I’ve seen the ebbs and flows of the housing market firsthand. This Mid-Q3, US single-family housing starts hit a 918,000 annual pace—up 7.6% from the previous month and 5.2% year over year—which is certainly a positive sign for home builders. When you look at the broader picture, though, overall housing starts (including multifamily) ran at a 1.275 million annual rate, marking a 2.6% month-over-month and 1.2% yearly decline. It’s a reminder of the uneven momentum we’re seeing in construction right now. Permits, which often signal what’s ahead, were steadier at a 1.394 million annualized pace: down 2.7% from last month but still 3.5% higher than the same period last year. Industry experts remain cautious, citing continued affordability pressures, higher material and labor costs, and slower sales—all factors that could keep single-family construction in check even as numbers improve. Builders are adapting by tightening their plans, using incentives, adjusting delivery timelines, and reducing speculative home inventory, often aiming to sell homes earlier in the construction process. These trends are worth watching for anyone navigating the current real estate landscape.