BIA Advocacy Update

BIA Leadership and Staff Head to Detroit, MI for NAHB Fall Leadership Conference

BIA President Shannon Roers, ROERS, BIA CEO Bryce Johnson and Education & Public Affairs Specialist Elizabeth Kosel attended the National Association of Home Builders Fall Leadership Conference in Detroit, MI last week. 

This meeting brings together members of NAHB's Leadership Council, Board of Directors, executive officers, committees and councils to help shape the association's priorities and provide feedback on advocacy, membership and the future of the association.

Leadership from the North Dakota Association of Builders were also present, participating in committee meetings, leadership conversations and connecting with industry peers from across the country. Attending these meetings helps members and association staff stay informed of industry trends, participate in conversations and be reminded of the advocacy work NAHB does on behalf of its members, like the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, a major victory for housing that NAHB championed.

Front row (left to right): Jeff Haider, WB Components, Minot;  Lance Kilwein, B & K Electric, Minot; Don Dabbert Jr., Dabbert Custom Homes, Fargo; Bob Horab, McCody Concrete, Williston; Joe Hillerson, Boulder Homes, Bismarck

Back row (left to right): Joe Stenvold, JAX Contracting, Minot; Shannon Roers, ROERS, Fargo; Kathy Dabbert, Dabbert Custom Homes, Fargo and Brittney Roehrich, NDAB.

Above (left to right): BIA Education & Public Affairs Specialist Elizabeth Kosel, BIA President Shannon Roers, ROERS and BIA CEO Bryce Johnson.

Preparing for November 3: General Election

Your BIA-RRV is continuing to meet with candidates running in the general election. Recent meetings have included Clay County Commission candidates and upcoming meetings include Cass County Commission candidates. 

As available, updated information will be shared on the Association's election resource website.

News from National: 7.5% Mortgage Rates ‘New Normal’ Until Geopolitical Issues Resolved

According to National Association of Home Builders Chief Economist, Dr. Robert Dietz, mortgage rates in the 7.5% range may be the new normal until there is a resolution with geopolitical factors, like the war in Iran.

In a podcast episode with NAHB's CEO Jim Tobin and COO Paul Lopez, he explained that the "the economy has a lot of investment opportunities right now, but most are tied to high-tech sectors, like data center hyperscalers facilitating AI projects. These huge investment opportunities are competing with bonds, sending Treasury bond prices soaring and taking mortgage rates along for the ride."

Dietz also cited the war in Iran as a factor contributing to high inflation and broader market uncertainty, which have made housing forecasts more difficult.

However, despite this, there is optimism that the economy is still expanding and the risk of a recession in 2027 remains low.

View the whole episode on NAHB's YouTube channel.