Housing affordability improved in Q1

Washington, D.C.—Housing affordability improved modestly in the first quarter of 2026, but homeownership remained out of reach for millions of Americans, according to the latest National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Cost of Housing Index.

The index showed that a family earning the national median income of $106,800 needed 32% of its income to cover the mortgage payment on a median-priced new home. Low-income families, defined as those earning 50% of the median income, needed 65% of their earnings to pay for the same home.

The figures matched the purchase of existing homes. A typical family needed 32% of its income to buy a median-priced existing home. A low-income family needed 65%.

“While affordability for both new and existing homes saw modest improvement over the past year, home buyers continue to grapple with elevated mortgage rates and economic uncertainty while home builders are dealing with rising construction costs, excessive regulations and labor shortages,” said NAHB chairman Bill Owens, a home builder and remodeler from Worthington, Ohio. “Policymakers need to address these supply-side challenges to enable builders to increase the nation’s housing supply.”

NAHB chief economist Robert Dietz said affordability is moving in the right direction, but many families still face cost pressures. “The first quarter CHI data shows that far too many families remain cost-burdened even as housing affordability is slowly trending in the right direction,” he said. “A nationwide housing shortage of roughly 1.2 million units continues to exacerbate housing affordability challenges.”

Dietz said policymakers should focus on easing regulations, speeding permit approvals and supporting skilled labor training.

New and existing home prices converge

The price gap between new and existing homes has nearly disappeared.

In the first quarter, the median price for a new home was $403,200. The median price for an existing home was $404,300.

That marks a shift from the second quarter of 2025, when a median-priced existing home sold for 5% more than a new home. The gap narrowed over the next three quarters before reaching 0% in the first quarter of 2026.

NAHB attributed the change to builders shifting toward less expensive homes. Existing home sellers also lowered prices to attract buyers amid economic uncertainty.

The first-quarter median new home price fell slightly from $405,300 in the fourth quarter of 2025. The median existing home price dropped more sharply from $414,900.

The average 30-year mortgage rate also edged lower, falling from 6.32% in the fourth quarter to 6.20% in the first quarter.

Cost burdens remain widespread

The share of income needed to buy a new home fell from 34% in the fourth quarter to 32% in the first quarter. For low-income families, the share fell from 67% to 65%.

Affordability also improved for existing homes. The share of income needed to buy an existing home fell from 34% to 32% for a typical family. It fell from 69% to 65% for a low-income family.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development defines cost-burdened families as those who spend more than 30% of their income on housing. HUD defines severe cost burdens as spending more than 50%.

The index found that typical families were severely cost-burdened in seven of 175 markets in the first quarter. Another 59 markets were cost-burdened. In 109 markets, the cost of a mortgage was 30% of earnings or less.

Most cost-burdened markets

San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, Calif., ranked as the most severely cost-burdened market. A typical family there needed 79% of its income to make a mortgage payment on a median-priced existing home.

Other severely cost-burdened markets included:

• San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, Calif.: 79%
• Urban Honolulu, Hawaii: 68%
• San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, Calif.: 65%
• San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, Calif.: 63%
• Naples-Marco Island, Fla.: 58%

Low-income families in those five markets needed between 115% and 158% of their income to cover a mortgage payment.

Least cost-burdened markets

Decatur, Ill., ranked as the least cost-burdened market. A typical family there needed 12% of its income to pay for a mortgage on a median-priced existing home.

Other least cost-burdened markets included:

• Decatur, Ill.: 12%
• Peoria, Ill.: 15%
• Elmira, N.Y.: 16%
• Springfield, Ill.: 17%
• Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, Iowa-Ill.: 18%

Low-income families in those markets needed between 25% and 37% of their income to cover the mortgage payment on a median-priced existing home.

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Wonder Porcelain unveils trend-forward tile collections

Lebanon, Tenn.—Wonder Porcelain has unveiled a portfolio of porcelain tile collections inspired by French oak, natural limestone and urban cement.

The new lines blend high-demand design trends with domestic reliability. Wonder Porcelain manufactures the collections at its Lebanon, Tenn., facility.

“Wonder Porcelain is constantly analyzing the pulse of the industry, always looking for what’s on trend for the North American marketplace,” said Dave Godlewski, vice president of sales and marketing at Wonder Porcelain. “We are delivering refined, versatile porcelain surfaces that honor ancient architecture and natural elements.”

The collections give customers premium, high-performance surfacing options with the strength of a U.S.-made product.

Silvanus Collection

The Silvanus Collection draws inspiration from the timeless look of French oak. The collection ranges from warm honey to gentle taupe. It captures the soft grain, subtle knots and tonal variation of natural wood.

Wonder Porcelain’s Sinking Ink Technology creates a tactile texture that aligns with the visual graphic. The result gives the surface added depth and dimension.

Silvanus comes in a geometric 24 x 24 parquet-style pattern. It coordinates with contemporary wood planks while offering the durability of porcelain.

Valora Collection

The Valora Collection takes its name from Latin roots for strength and beauty. The line translates the quiet look of natural limestone into a high-performance Colorbody Porcelain tile.

Valora features an authentic graphic and understated surface texture. The design creates a calm foundation for timeless interiors.

Wonder Porcelain offers Valora in a matte finish across three modular sizes: 12 x 24, 24 x 24 and 24 x 48. The collection comes in two nature-inspired tones, Dune Beige and Horizon Grey.

Cemento Couture Collection

Cemento Couture blends the raw beauty of cement with the refined texture of natural stone. The collection targets modern architectural projects that call for an industrial but polished look.

The line features three tones: Sand, Smoke and Atmosphere. Each tone creates a clean canvas for depth and dimension.

Wonder Porcelain offers Cemento Couture in matte and Lappato finishes. The series comes in 12 x 24, 24 x 24 and 24 x 48 field tiles. It also includes 4-inch hex and 2 x 2 mosaics.

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Moldings, accessories made to match

Manufacturers are doing double-duty these days, offering moldings and accessories that not only complement the floor but also flow seamlessly from one room to the next.

Accessories such as moldings, trim and stair nosing play an increasingly key role in elevating the entire look and feel of an interior that completes the flooring project.

Following are some new offerings making an impact.

Engineered Floors/Xcessories

The Engineered Floors Xcessories line offers 100% waterproof stair treads designed to perfectly coordinate with all of the company’s PureGrain rigid core collections (High-Def, Comfort, Renew and Endure).

Featuring a modern square nose profile, these treads deliver a clean, seamless finish for hard surface staircases. They are sold in two packs, with standard dimensions measuring 12 x 50. Built for durability and ease of installation, they can be glued down over new or existing wood treads.

Artistic Finishes

Solid Wood T-Moldings from Artistic Finishes feature expertly prefinished designs crafted to blend seamlessly with today’s most popular flooring styles. With dozens of species available and made-to-order precision, Artistic Finishes delivers durable, high-quality transition solutions that elevate the finished look of every flooring installation.

i4F

i4F Stair Tread technologies solve one of the flooring industry’s biggest challenges by enabling stairs to perfectly align with any floor using the same material, décor, texture and height. Suitable for SPC, LVT, WPC, laminate and wood, the technologies create seamless floor-to-stair integration, including top steps and landings. Available in both L-shaped and U-shaped constructions to suit all stair types, i4F Stair Tread solutions are water-resistant and engineered for safety, durability and fast installation. i4F solutions simplify installation and are designed to fit without trimming the nose—and without structural staircase changes.

Küberit

Designed for projects that demand more than straight lines, Küberit Bendable Profiles bring precision and flexibility to curved flooring applications from flowing transitions and sweeping staircases to custom inlays and refined architectural details. Küberit technology allows profiles to be formed on-site with accuracy and consistency. Available across multiple profile categories in aluminum, anodized aluminum and powder coated aluminum finishes, Küberit Bendable Profiles give architects and designers the freedom to create seamless spaces where every detail is made to match.

MP Global

QuietBoard helps raise the finished floor height, creating smoother and more even transitions from room to room. This is important when replacing carpets and thicker flooring with slimmer profile flooring like vinyl planks. This means fewer noticeable height differences between flooring surfaces, reducing the need for oversized transition strips and improving the overall finished appearance. QuietBoard is made from 100% recycled materials into a sheet good that can also help create a safer, more comfortable walking surface while giving installations a cleaner, more professional look.

Leggett & Platt

Make-A-Wish Strength by Leggett & Platt is a synthetic rubber crack isolation membrane that provides superior acoustical performance for all types of hard surface flooring—including ceramic and porcelain tile. The extreme density makes it one of the most versatile underlayments in the market. Make-A-Wish Strength helps to significantly reduce unwanted noise within the home while supporting the floor for the life of the installation.

Leggett & Platt will donate $0.01 to Make-A-Wish for every square foot ($0.09/sq. yd.) of Make-A-Wish-branded carpet cushion and underlayment sold with a minimum annual donation of $100,000.

TotalWorx

Engineered with the patented Straight Edge Grout Line, TotalWorx’s Trim Elite delivers a clean, professional finish while helping protect against chips and breakage. Its proprietary design features up to 23% more metal in the face of the profile, enhancing durability without compromising a streamlined look for hard surface installations.

Unilin

Unilin Technologies stairnose is produced directly from the original flooring plank, preserving the identical design, texture, wear layer and click system. A key innovation is the integrated structural insert at the bending point, providing strength where traditional solutions often leave unsupported areas. This ensures superior durability in high-impact areas while reducing adhesive use and costs.

Performance Accessories

Performance Accessories helps meet installation demands with a suite of stair solutions designed to perfectly coordinate with flooring installations. From TrueMatch flush stair nose with its exact color and texture match to full stair treads, each product is designed to be a perfect fit with vinyl and laminate flooring.

Ventiques

Ventique Flush Mount Vents are the ideal flooring accessories for the way they disappear into the floor—in the best way. The flush mount profile sits level with the flooring surface, creating a seamless, designer-grade look. Instead of a bulky metal grate interrupting the pattern, the vent becomes part of the floor. This is especially valuable with LVP patterns that mimic long planks, wide-plank hardwood and tile layouts where clean lines matter.

Versatrim

SlimTrim 3-in-1 molding from Versatrim delivers the versatility today’s flooring customers demand and the efficiency retailers value. Designed to work as a reducer, T-molding and end cap in one sleek profile, SlimTrim eliminates the need for multiple moldings while simplifying product selection and installation. It adapts to a wide range of projects with professional-grade results.

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Retailers cite must-have flooring brands

With a challenging housing market putting a crimp on residential retail foot traffic these days, many flooring retailers have found salvation in Main Street opportunities as that sector continues to flourish—especially in the LVT and carpet segments.

To leverage that market opportunity, several flooring suppliers have created brands and programs specifically for Main Street. Following is a snapshot of some recent offerings and what retailers had to say:

Pentz Commercial: Podcast

About the product: Podcast by Pentz Commercial is a versatile, high-performance commercial flooring collection available in both modular carpet tile and broadloom formats, featuring a modern geometric pattern in new, updated colorways for the Main Street segment.

What retailers had to say:

“Designed for both commercial and residential spaces, these premium carpet tiles combine functionality with aesthetic appeal. Whether you’re updating a bustling office, creating a cozy living area or outfitting a retail space, Pentz Podcast carpet tiles are the ultimate flooring choice.”

—Brian Osborne, Floor City

Aladdin: BigPopof Color

About the product: Big Pop of Color pushes carpet tile innovation forward through its blend of nylon and PET yarns—an unexpected pairing that delivers enhanced texture, visual dimension and high-performance durability in one design solution.

What retailers had to say:

“We recently installed Big Pop of Color for a customer opening a Mahjong game room. They were looking for a floor with significant visual ‘pop’ to complement their gaming tables. They were very impressed by the numerous layout options available.”

—Richard Mathews, Flooring Source

Philadelphia Commercial: DuoScape

About the product: DuoScape blends broad market appeal with the fluid beauty of organic structure. Engineered for performance, Duo- Scape pairs EcoSolution Q Nylon with StrataWorx backing in the carpet tile for a balance of durability, style and value.

What retailers had to say:

“DuoScape is offered in a durable carpet tile and a broadloom carpet that gives our customers many options. This product offers structured patterns that can enhance many professional spaces. I personally love the available accent colors that can offer unlimited vibrant designs.”

—Mark Arnold, Carpet Selections

Karndean: LooseLay

About the product: The Karndean LooseLay collection offers more than 40 wood- and stone-inspired luxury vinyl designs. The K-Wave friction-grip backing holds the flooring in place, so LooseLay can be installed with or without a full adhesive spread.

What retailers had to say:

“The Karndean LooseLay product has become a very large and popular part of our overall LVP business. The quality of material has been very consistent and inventory levels are always strong. The newer patterns are on trend and are well liked by our designers and consumers.”

—Bill Huss, D&M Interiors

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NWFA completes 87th Gary Sinise Foundation home

St. Louis, Mo.—The National Wood Flooring Association has provided flooring for its 87th home in support of the Gary Sinise Foundation R.I.S.E. program.

The R.I.S.E. program builds mortgage-free, custom, specially adapted smart homes for severely wounded veterans and first responders.

The home dedication for U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Jason Pacheco took place April 16 in Fallbrook, Calif. NWFA member DuChateau donated the flooring for the project.

Service and resilience

Pacheco joined the Marines after graduation with his sights set on the infantry. He had a gift for shooting and earned a spot at Advanced Urban Sniper School.

He graduated at the top of his class. In May 2010, he deployed to Afghanistan as a corporal and scout sniper team leader.

Three months after Pacheco arrived in Afghanistan, Taliban soldiers pinned him down during a four-hour firefight. After the battle, he went out to conduct a battle damage assessment when an IED detonated.

The blast caused a traumatic brain injury, a leg amputation below the knee, a femur fracture, a pinky amputation and blown eardrums.

“After three months of physical therapy, Sergeant Pacheco learned to walk,” said Stephanie Owen, NWFA president and CEO. “After six months, he learned to run. And just a few months after that, he became one of the first three Marine Corps amputees to return to a combat zone on full duty. His dedication to his team and his country is remarkable and we’re honored to partner with DuChateau to provide beautiful real wood floors for his new home.”

NWFA has completed 86 homes through the program. It is working with members to supply wood flooring for 13 additional homes in various stages of planning and construction. A total of 163 NWFA member companies have donated product, logistics and installation services across the United States. Those contributions exceed $7 million in value.

A list of participating companies is available at nwfa.org/giving-back.

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Tuesday Tips: Michelle Nix leads GROW Live event

Dalton—The World Floor Covering Association (WFCA) released a new “Tuesday Tips” this week. In the series, WFCA experts present short video tips for improving customer service and optimizing staff performance. In the end, it’s all about understanding the importance of doing 100 things just 1% better than your competition.

In this week’s Tuesday Tips, Michelle Nix, WFCA director of education, continues her GROW Live Event series with part two of “How to Use DiSC to Build a High-Performing Team.” The session explores how the DiSC behavioral model can help leaders better understand communication styles, recognize individual strengths and create a team culture where people work together more effectively.

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The downside to lowering prices to attract shoppers

In 2022, Six Flags made a bold—and controversial—move. Under CEO Selim Bassoul, the company raised ticket prices by 25%–34%. The immediate result? Attendance dropped sharply. Critics were quick to call it a mistake. But the deeper story is that even with fewer visitors, per-capita spending increased. That raises the question for flooring retailers: are your prices high enough?

For years, many business owners have operated under the assumption that lower prices drive higher sales. But Six Flags discovered that attracting price-sensitive customers often meant bringing in guests who spent just enough to get through the gate, but not enough inside the park to generate meaningful profits.

You could argue that The Walt Disney Company has followed a similar path. Higher ticket prices, premium add-ons and tiered experiences have reshaped their customer base. Whether you agree with it or not, the intent is clear: focus on customers who are willing—and able—to spend more once they’re in the door.

In flooring, too many retailers panic the moment a customer says, “You’re higher than your competitor.” Prices get slashed, margins shrink and suddenly the business is busy—but not as profitable. The real issue isn’t losing a price shopper; it’s building a model around them.

Consider the operational reality. A small job—say one carpeted bedroom or a couple of bathrooms—requires nearly the same coordination as a large installation. Your warehouse pulls materials, your installers schedule time, your team manages logistics, etc. Yet the revenue and profit from that smaller job are significantly lower. If your pipeline is filled with these low-margin projects, your business stays busy but financially strained.

Choose your competition

That leads to another critical question: are you competing with the right competitors?

Think about Macy’s vs. Walmart. Both sell clothing, but they serve very different customers. When Walmart introduced fashion-forward private labels at prices 20%–30% lower than similar styles at Macy’s, they weren’t just offering cheaper clothes—they were redefining value for a specific shopper. Many customers recognized the similarities and happily chose the lower-priced option. The Scoop brand in Walmart was inspired by “Devil Wears Prada,” and Free Assembly is similar to Free People only 30% lower in price. My hunch is Macy’s is having a rough time, which will only get rougher if they continue down this road.

Flooring retailers face the same crossroads. But raising prices isn’t about becoming expensive for the sake of it. It’s about aligning your pricing with the value you deliver and the customer you want to serve. Higher prices can filter out unprofitable work, reduce operational strain and create room for better customer experiences.

Of course, this shift requires discipline. You need to understand your margins, track profitability by job type and identify where your time and resources generate the best return. It also means training your team to sell value, not just defend price.

So the next time a customer says your price is too high, resist the urge to capitulate. Instead, ask yourself: Am I pricing for volume—or for profit.

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Lisbeth Calandrino has been promoting retail strategies for the last 20 years. To have her speak at your business or to schedule a consultation, contact her at lcalandrino@nycap.rr.com.

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