March Builder Sentiment: A False Start for Some, Momentum for Others 

A divided market defined the early days of the 2026 spring selling season.

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Each month, Zonda surveys builders across the country to gauge sentiment around the housing market. This survey is intended to supplement the proprietary Zonda database by asking builders more qualitative questions. The anonymous survey covers everything from consumer sentiment to broader macroeconomic topics like tariffs and immigration. Results are tracked over time and analyzed geographically to capture real-time shifts in builder and consumer confidence. 

Below are three key takeaways from the March responses: 

  1. A split market. 
  1. Global headlines hit home. 
  1. Starts and community count growth. 

A split market. March revealed a market that was roughly split down the middle, with just over half of the builders surveyed reporting that demand was slower than expected. This result is not surprising given today’s environment, where already cautious consumers are facing geopolitical tensions, stock market volatility, higher interest rates, and rising energy prices. 

The insights in this article were taken froma moredetailedmonthly review of the survey’sfindingspublished inZonda’s National Outlook

About the Author

Zonda Economics

Zonda’s experts provide objective analysis on housing trends, supply and demand dynamics, and economic drivers. The team of economists, researchers, and analysts blends proprietary data with expert interpretation to help you navigate changing markets and make smarter decisions.

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