News and Resources

Dear Industry Members & Consumers,   This letter serves to provide an update on the current state of the Indianapolis area housing industry, building on the updates provided in the Builder’s Association of Greater Indianapolis’ State of the Industry Letter in Fall 2022. This update provides valuable information regarding the systemic issues in the residential construction […]

INDIANAPOLIS (January 20, 2023) – The Builders Association of Greater Indianapolis (BAGI) announced that Central Indiana’s nine-county area experienced an overall decrease in homebuilding permit activity in 2022 which will begin to stabilize in 2023. Central Indiana issued 7,992 total permits in 2022, with 385 issued in December. Despite overall lower permit numbers in 2022, […]

INDIANAPOLIS (December 16, 2022) – The Builders Association of Greater Indianapolis (BAGI) continues to see a regression in homebuilding permit activity as the year comes to an end, with 7607 permits issued from January to November, compared to 9598 permits issued in the same time period last year. Central Indiana single family building permits down […]

INDIANAPOLIS (November 21, 2022) – The Builders Association of Greater Indianapolis (BAGI) continues to complete home projects as annual building permit activity falls by 18 percent. According to BAGI, in October 457 permits were processed compared to 845 in October of 2021. “These numbers are not surprising or discouraging,” said Steve Lains, CEO of the […]

INDIANAPOLIS — New data from the Builders Association of Greater Indianapolis (BAGI) shows homebuilding permit numbers are down across several Central Indiana counties compared to this time last year. Data from BAGI shows permits dropped during the 2008 recession and have been rebounding ever since. During COVID-19 in 2020 and 2021, permit numbers reached levels […]

INDIANAPOLIS (October 20, 2022) – The Builders Association of Greater Indianapolis (BAGI) continues to see a regression in homebuilding permit activity heading into the fall, with 500 permits issued last month compared to 744 in September of 2021.  September’s permit numbers relay a 16 percent decrease in permits compared to August’s 14 percent decrease, but […]

WESTFIELD, Ind. — Thousands of Hoosiers have been part of the Builders Association of Greater Indianapolis’ (BAGI) Home-A-Rama tour this year, with the event returning to Westfield’s Chatham Hills neighborhood. The annual event also celebrates the 100th anniversary of BAGI, as visitors tour stunning, high-end custom homes and discover the latest in home design and […]

WESTFIELD, Ind. — The Builders Association of Greater Indianapolis’ (BAGI) Home-A-Rama returns to Westfield’s Chatham Hills Neighborhood for the third and final time. People will get to tour high-end, custom homes and discover the latest in home design and technology trends. “We have an impressive list of builders this year and a strong partnership with […]

INDIANAPOLIS (September 21, 2022) – The Builders Association of Greater Indianapolis (BAGI) continues to see a regression in homebuilding permit activity this summer, with 603 permits issued last month compared to 756 in August of 2021. Central Indiana permits down 14 percent year-over-year. Despite the lower permit numbers, local homebuilders and suppliers remain busier than […]

Dear Industry Members & Consumers, This letter serves to provide an update on the current state of the Indianapolis area housing industry, building on the Builder’s Association of Greater Indianapolis’ May State of the Industry Letter that provided valuable information regarding the systemic issues in the residential construction industry that were, and still are, disrupting […]

INDIANAPOLIS (AUGUST 16, 2022) – The Builders Association of Greater Indianapolis (BAGI) has released its August 2022 State of the Industry letter, discussing the recent home construction and purchase slowdown, sharing insight into current home building issues that are affecting the market and encouraging consumers to be a part of the conversation to address issues and find […]

INDIANAPOLIS (July 20, 2022) – The Builders Association of Greater Indianapolis (BAGI) continues to see a decline in Central Indiana’s permit activity, with 850 permits issued last month compared to 1034 in June 2021. Central Indiana permits down 13 percent year-over-year. Despite the lower permit numbers, local homebuilders and suppliers remain busier than ever, as […]

INDIANAPOLIS (June 17, 2022) –  The Builders Association of Greater Indianapolis (BAGI) has announced that in Central Indiana’s nine-county area, single-family building permits are down just 8% over May 2021, with 893 permits issued last month compared to 967 the year prior.  However, according to Drake Branda, Director of Government Affairs at BAGI, lower permit […]

INDIANAPOLIS (May 20, 2022) – Rising interest rates, overall inflation and a volatile stock market has led the Builder’s Association of Greater Indianapolis (BAGI) to see a 24% decrease in single-family building permits in Central Indiana’s nine-county area from last year’s numbers. 801 permits were issued last month compared to 992 in April 2021. Jeff […]

View original article    By: Meredith Hackler Posted at 4:06 PM, Apr 28, 2022 and last updated 6:25 PM, Apr 28, 2022 INDIANAPOLIS — Central Indiana residents looking to find land to build a home on are finding the mission to be nearly impossible. According to information from the Builders Association of Greater Indianapolis […]

INDIANAPOLIS (April 21, 2022) – A limited quantity of available lots, ongoing supply issues, project backlog and a strong, continued demand for new homes has led the Builders Association of Greater Indianapolis (BAGI) to see a 17% decrease in single-family building permits in Central Indiana’s nine-county area. 933 permits were issued last month compared to […]

Dear Valued Customer, The purpose of this letter is to provide you with updated information on the current systemic issues in the residential construction industry that are disrupting job schedules and project pricing. Hopefully, the information provided in this “State of the Industry” letter, gives you a better basis to understand why a delay or […]

NDIANAPOLIS (March 18, 2022) – The Builders Association of Greater Indianapolis (BAGI) has announced that in Central Indiana’s nine-county area, single-family building permits are down 15% over February 2021, with 669 permits issued last month compared to 818 the year prior. The association stated this is more of an ongoing and increasing supply issue and […]

INDIANAPOLIS (February 23, 2022) – The Builders Association of Greater Indianapolis (BAGI) has shared the first permit numbers for 2022, showing that Central Indiana’s nine-county area, saw an 18% decrease in single-family building permits, with 636 permits in January 2022 compared to 772 permits last year. Central Indiana saw an 18% decrease in single-family building permits “We are […]

INDIANAPOLIS (January 24, 2022) – The Builders Association of Greater Indianapolis (BAGI) has shared the final permit numbers for 2021, showing that in Central Indiana’s nine-county area, single-family building permits were up 6 percent over December 2020, with 832 permits this December compared to 788 permits last year. This brings 2021’s permit total to 10,430, which is a […]

INDIANAPOLIS (December 20, 2021) – The Builders Association of Greater Indianapolis (BAGI) announced that in Central Indiana’s nine-county area, single-family building permits were up 3% over November 2020, with 714 permits this November compared to 695 permits last year. Single-family building permits up 3% from November 2020. “After three months of slower permit activity, the uptick in numbers aligns […]

INDIANAPOLIS (November 23, 2021) – For the third straight month, the Builders Association of Greater Indianapolis (BAGI) saw a drop in single-family building permits month, down 7% from October 2020. Overall permit numbers for 2021 are still up over last year, with 8884 permits this year compared to 7186 permits at this time last year. Single-family building permits down 7% […]

Building Permits Fall for Second Straight Month, Homebuilding Still Booming INDIANAPOLIS (OCTOBER 21, 2021) – The Builders Association of Greater Indianapolis (BAGI) saw its second consecutive drop in single-family building permits in September, down 9% from September 2020. Despite the slowdown, the nine-county area still holds a 28% cumulative increase over 2020, with 8039 permits so far in 2021 […]

HOME-A-RAMA It’s home show time! The First Internet Bank Home-A-Rama, our ever-popular, highly anticipated annual home show, is currently underway in the beautiful Aberdeen community! Come visit Indy’s first wellness lifestyle community and enjoy local food and beverage trucks, experience tractor tours of Aberdeen’s amenities and tour six stunning custom-built homes featuring the latest in […]

INDIANAPOLIS (SEPTEMBER 21 2021) – The Builders Association of Greater Indianapolis (BAGI) saw its first drop in single-family building permits in August, down 2% from August 2020. However, the nine-county area has a 34% cumulative increase over 2020, with 7295 permits so far this year compared to 5463 at this time last year.    Single-family building permits are up 34% year […]

BAGI is proud to have a talented, hardworking team that is dedicated to living out the BAGI mission for the benefit of our membership and industry. And we loved celebrating them this last month! CELEBRATING 40 YEARS AT BAGI We pulled off the biggest surprise for our beloved CFO, Rosemary! Family, friends, staff and members […]

INDIANAPOLIS (AUGUST 24, 2021) – The Builders Association of Greater Indianapolis (BAGI) announced that in Central Indiana’s nine-county area, single-family building permits have a 39% cumulative increase over 2020, with 6539 permits so far this year compared to 4692 at this time last year.    Single-family building permits are up 39% year over year. “While the growth was not as large in July as we […]

Are you struggling to find qualified, skilled workers for your job sites? You are not alone. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are nearly 300,000 job openings in the home building industry and according to Associated General Contractors of America, 72% of general contractors believe the labor shortage will be their […]

INDIANAPOLIS (July 20, 2021) – The Builders Association of Greater Indianapolis (BAGI) announced that in Central Indiana’s nine-county area, single-family building permits are up 33% over June of 2020 with 1034 permits compared to 779 the year prior, yielding a 46% cumulative increase year over year. Single-family building permits are up 33% over June of 2020. “With material […]

Our membership feedback is an important factor in shaping what the BAGI experience looks like. We tweaked this year’s member survey to help us measure our efforts through COVID and ensure we were not only meeting their needs through this time, but also providing a valuable membership experience. To give you ease of access, we […]

INDIANAPOLIS (June 22, 2021) – The Builders Association of Greater Indianapolis (BAGI) announced that in Central Indiana’s nine-county area, single-family building permits are up 48% over May of 2020 with 967 permits compared to 655 the year prior, yielding a 49% cumulative increase year over year. Single-family building permits are up 48% over May of 2020 “With lumber […]

All-time low mortgage rates and limited inventory of existing homes has many prospective homeowners making a big jump: building their own home. Building a home for the first time is a large investment and when move-in day finally comes, you want to be sure that you’re walking into exactly what you envisioned and agreed upon […]

Indianapolis, IN –  The Builders Association of Greater Indianapolis (BAGI) announced that in the Greater Indianapolis nine-county area, single-family building permits are up 53% over April of 2020 with 992 permits compared to 647 in April of last year, yielding a 49% cumulative increase year over year. “Record low interest rates continue to drive demand […]

April 29, 2021 – The Builders Association of Greater Indianapolis (BAGI) announced the winners of its annual scholarship competition. This year, BAGI awarded five recipients in order to encourage students to pursue careers in the home building industry in the Central Indiana area. Since 1989, the program has awarded $399,350 to 336 recipients.   This […]

While nearly every industry in the world has been affected by the global pandemic in the last year, the home building industry has been impacted in a unique way.  An increased demand for new homes has been fueled by record low interest rates, record low existing inventory, and a significant shift in buyer preferences after […]

Indianapolis, IN –  The Builders Association of Greater Indianapolis (BAGI) announced that in the Greater Indianapolis nine-county area, single-family building permits are up 66% over March of 2020 with 1,127 permits compared to 680 in March of last year, yielding a 48% increase in this first quarter year over year. Only Morgan County posted a […]

Over the past year, the housing market has seen some unique changes. Buyer demand has increased significantly, as Americans everywhere experienced shifting preferences for what they wanted out of their homes. Yet, the increased demand has been met with roadblocks. According to Realtor.com, 2020 had the lowest housing inventory on record, with a 39.6% decline […]

Indianapolis, IN –  The Builders Association of Greater Indianapolis (BAGI) announced that in the Greater Indianapolis nine-county area, single-family building permits are up 32% from February last year with 818 permits compared to 622 in February 2020, increasing 38% over 2020 at this time. “Home demand continues to surpass production capacity,” says Steve Lains, BAGI […]

Indianapolis, IN –  The Builders Association of Greater Indianapolis (BAGI) announced that in the Greater Indianapolis nine-county area, single-family building permits are up 45% from January last year with 772 permits compared to 534 in January 2020, which had already seen an 18% uptick over the start to the previous year. “The demand for new […]

Now more than ever, we need people entering the skilled trades to assist with housing efforts. To help build up our industry, BAGI is committed to enhancing career opportunities and addressing the labor shortage through educational initiatives, workforce training and our annual scholarship program.

January 21, 2021: This year, First Internet Bank Home-A-Rama debuted an all NEW Virtual Experience. This allowed many out-of-town guests, relocating customers, and home-bound attendees the chance to still fully experience everything Home-A-Rama has to offer!   The 2020 Home-A-Rama Virtual Experience is now free and available to all!   Explore each of our eleven […]

Indianapolis, IN –  The Builders Association of Greater Indianapolis (BAGI) announced that in the Greater Indianapolis nine-county area, single-family building permits closed out 2020 with an impressive 82% increase, with 788 permits compared to 433 in December of 2019.  Year over year, 8,669 permits were filed in 2020, rising 24% compared to last year at […]

The Builders Association of Greater Indianapolis (BAGI) announced that in the Greater Indianapolis nine-county area, single-family building permits saw yet another 47% increase this past month, pulling 694 permits compared to 472 in November 2019, with only Marion County posting a deficit.  Year over year, 2020 permits continue to climb and are up 21% over […]

Indianapolis, IN –  The Builders Association of Greater Indianapolis (BAGI) announced that in the Greater Indianapolis nine-county area, single-family building permits saw a 47% increase last month with 904 permits compared to 615 in October 2019, the largest increase yet this year.  Year over year, 2020 permits are up 18% over last year at this […]

Indianapolis, IN –  The Builders Association of Greater Indianapolis (BAGI) announced that in the Greater Indianapolis nine-county area, single-family building permits saw a 45% increase last month with 819 permits compared to 565 in September 2019.  Year over year, 2020 permits remain robust at a 15% increase over last year at this time. “The market […]

Zionsville, IN – At a presentation to the show builders this morning at Holliday Farms, the Builders Association of Greater Indianapolis (BAGI) announced the winner of the First Internet Bank Home-A-Rama People’s Choice Award.  The winning home was built by Wedgewood Building Company – house number two in the luxury home tour, their second consecutive […]

This luxury home tour features 11 incredible homes in the stunning new community of Holliday Farms, a custom home community and Pete Dye designed golf course located in the heart of Zionsville, Indiana. Tickets are on sale now for the remaining two weekends!  Join us September 24-27 & October 1-4 or get tickets for the […]

Indianapolis, IN –  The Builders Association of Greater Indianapolis (BAGI) announced that in the Greater Indianapolis nine-county area, single-family building permits were up 12% last month with 775 permits compared to 695 in July 2019.  Year over year, 2020 permits continue to hold strong at a 12% increase over last year at this time.   […]

From housing updates to guidance on preparing your workplace, we’ve gathered a wide variety of COVID-19 news and resources to keep you up to date during the coronavirus pandemic.

Indianapolis, IN –  The Builders Association of Greater Indianapolis (BAGI) announced that in the Greater Indianapolis nine-county area, single-family building permits dip 12% with 654 permits compared to 740 in May 2019.  2020 permits for the year remain up 11% over last year at this time. “Permit numbers tend to be a lagging indicator of […]

Six Students Awarded Builders Association of Greater Indianapolis Scholarships The Builders Association of Greater Indianapolis (BAGI) announced the winners of its annual scholarship competition. This year, BAGI awarded six recipients in order to encourage students to pursue careers in the home building industry in the Central Indiana area. Since 1989, the program has awarded $384,350 […]

In his address on May 1st, Governor Holcomb announced a 5 Stage re-opening approach to getting Indiana “Back on Track.” He discussed the following four guiding principles that will determine if those proposed stages to reopen various sectors of the economy are able to move forward. What’s Open and What’s Closed? Learn more about the […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 15, 2020 Strength in March Single-Family Building Permits Indianapolis, IN –  The Builders Association of Greater Indianapolis (BAGI) announced that in the Greater Indianapolis nine-county area, single-family building permits are up 20% with 680 permits compared to 566 in March 2019.  Thus far in 2020, permits have increased by 24% over […]

It is with heavy hearts that we unfortunately must cancel First Internet Bank Indy Rama. Rest assured, our members are still working away to invest in our communities and provide shelters for you that you will be proud to call home. Be sure to check out BAGI’s Find A Home, Find A Builder, Find A […]

As Building Partners of Central Indiana (BPCI) members — along with homebuilders, remodelers and consumers nationwide — are well aware, costs are climbing higher. Rising labor costs, land prices and permit fees have been contributing to escalating home prices for years, but international tariffs imposed throughout the past year and a half have added an additional burden to the industry.

Used homes don’t feature many of the things most desired by today’s homebuyers. New homes are constantly being redesigned and tweaked to reflect what today’s homebuyers are looking for, including things like open kitchens and large walk-in closets!

Finding the right builder is just as important as finding the right floor plan, since it is their expertise that will be responsible for constructing your new home. Your satisfaction will depend on their experience, skills, and commitment to customer service.

What is the link between housing availability & Regional Economic Growth? An insufficient supply of housing has slowed economic growth nationally. Housing production across the US and in the Indianapolis Region has not kept up with demand. Commuting patterns are not expected to change. While Marion and Hamilton Counties are expected to capture the largest […]

Before You Move In to Your New Home Before you go to settlement on your purchase of a newly constructed home, you and your builder will do a walk-through to conduct a final inspection. This walk-through provides an opportunity to spot items which may need to be corrected or adjusted, learn about the way your […]

Sooner or later, you may join the millions of people who remodel their homes each year. Perhaps it was that moment when you realized that avocado green and harvest gold are no longer the “in” colors for today’s trendy kitchens. Or maybe you had an epiphany one day as you stood in line to use […]

Green Building Green practices in home building, remodeling, and land development have marked a shift in the way we live today. Thanks to more durable roof coverings, insulated windows, increased insulation, and high-efficiency heating, cooling, and water heating equipment, homes built today are 100% more energy-efficient than homes built in the 1970s. In the long-term, […]

Whether your looking for inspiration for your next home renovation or you’re ready to start browsing for a new home, here are a few of the top design trends you’ll see in 2019 – many of which you can see in person at First Internet Bank Home-A-Rama this fall! BLACK WINDOW FRAMES Do you prefer […]

NAHB’s Remodeling Market Index (RMI) posted a reading of 54 in the first quarter of 2019, falling three points from the previous quarter. The RMI has been consistently above 50 — indicating that more remodelers report market activity is higher compared to the prior quarter than report it is lower — since the second quarter […]

A new NAHB study presents the most recent and comprehensive estimates of home building employment, including self-employed workers, by state and congressional district. NAHB Economics estimates that out of 10.3 million people working in construction in 2017, more than 4 million people worked in residential construction, accounting for 2.6% of the US employed civilian labor […]

On this week’s episode of Housing Developments, NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz shares his 2019 economic forecast for the industry and what the recent change in the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index means for builders. Dietz also discusses how the skilled labor shortage is affecting housing supply. NAHB CEO Jerry Howard and guest host Paul […]

Total housing starts fell 0.3% in March to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.14 million units from a downwardly revised reading in February, according to a report from the U.S. Housing and Urban Development and Commerce Department. The report was delayed due to the partial government shutdown earlier this year. The March reading of […]

Although Earth Day only comes once a year, consumers are thinking green year-round. For home buyers, it’s a matter of how the conversation is framed to ensure they understand the value of investing in green building practices. For example, in the latest version of What Home Buyers Really Want, NAHB asked prospective and recent home […]

Clint Lovette is the NAHB Remodeler of the Month for April. Allowing a client’s phone call, email or text to go unanswered “is like going to bed being angry at your spouse,” said Clint Lovette, CGR, CAPS, president of Lovette Design+Build in Birmingham, Ala. “It only makes it worse in the morning.” Since getting into […]

Sales of newly built, single-family homes rose to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 692,000 units in March after a slightly revised February report, according to newly released data by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau. This is the highest sales pace since November 2017. “These numbers indicate […]

The mission of Oxford Mills — a $38 million historic rehabilitation in Philadelphia’s Kensington neighborhood — was to create a vibrant, synergistic, education-based community of teacher housing and nonprofit organizations. Comprising two former industrial buildings, this high-density housing project includes 114 apartments that provide much-needed workforce housing and 38,000 square feet of commercial/office space for […]

This is a two-part series that will cover the initial marketing process, followed by the integration of sales and internal operations to maximize success. For today’s home buyers, the customer experience does not always start in the sales center. In fact, many customers have likely already researched your company online before they visit you in […]

By Carmel Ford on April 12, 2019 • On average, home buyers are willing to pay an additional $8,728 upfront on a home in order to save $1,000 a year in utility bills, according to NAHB’s recently released study, What Home Buyers Really Want (2019 Edition) (Figure 1). The study is based on a survey […]

Over the first two months of 2019, the total number of single-family permits issued year-to-date (YTD) nationwide reached 116,189. On a year-over-year basis, this is a 6.2% decline over the February 2018 level of 123,871.Year-to-date ending in February, single-family permits reported growth only in the Northeast region of the country. The South, Midwest, and the […]

By Robert Dietz on April 16, 2019 • Builder confidence in the market for newly-built single-family homes rose one point to 63 in April, according to the latest National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) released today. Sentiment levels have held in the low 60s for the past three months.Builders report solid […]

A new NAHB study presents the most recent and comprehensive estimates of home building employment, including self-employed workers, by state and congressional district. NAHB Economics estimates that out of 10.3 million people working in construction in 2017, more than 4 million people worked in residential construction, accounting for 2.6% of the US employed civilian labor […]

By Carmel Ford on April 18, 2019 • The Remodeling Market Index (RMI) fell three points to 54 in the first quarter of 2019, according to the National Association of Home Builders. Despite the drop, the RMI is still over the index break-even point of 50, which indicates that more remodelers report that market activity […]

By Robert Dietz on April 19, 2019 • According to a estimates from the U.S. Housing and Urban Development and Commerce Department, single-family starts continued to show weakness in March, despite the recent stabilization in the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI). After downward revisions made to the February data, single-family starts were down 0.4% […]

After a strong gain in February, existing home sales, released by the National Association of Realtors, fell back in March despite lower interest rates and a strong labor market. Total existing home sales, including single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops, declined 4.9% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.21 million in March. On a […]

By Robert Dietz on April 23, 2019 • Contracts for new, single-family home sales increased almost 5% on a monthly basis to a 692,000 seasonally adjusted annual rate according to estimates from the joint release of HUD and the Census Bureau. The months’ supply number improved to 6.0, which indicates the market is stabilizing after […]

By Litic Murali on April 24, 2019 • The latest data from the Mortgage Bankers Association’s Weekly Application Survey for the week ending on April 19 show a decrease in purchasing and refinancing activities, with refinancing decreasing for the third consecutive week. On a seasonally adjusted basis, refinancing activity decreased by 11%. March showed a […]

NAHB analysis of the most recent Quarterly Sales by Price and Financing published by the U.S. Census Bureau reveals that conventional loans accounted for 71.3% of new home sales in the first quarter of 2019, a 3.3-percentage point decrease from Q4 2018 (revised). The decline comes despite lower mortgage rates, continuing a post-2012 pattern in […]

1. Customization: The ability to customize your home means YOU make the home uniquely yours. You have the ability to design the home to your specific needs and desires. You can find the perfect floor plan or design your own. 2. Warranty: A home is typically the largest purchase you’ll ever make. Don’t you want […]

Finding the right homebuilder is just as important as finding the right floor plan. It’s your builder’s expertise that will be responsible for constructing your new home and your satisfaction will depend on their experience, skills and commitment to customer service. It’s important that the builder you choose has these qualifications and is able to […]

The advantage of getting pre-qualified and pre-approved for financing before beginning to build a new home is you’ll know in advance how much you can afford. Many people think if a lender pre-qualifies them for a mortgage then they have been pre-approved for a new home loan. BUT there is a difference between being pre-qualified […]

Sooner or later, you may join the millions of people who remodel their homes each year. Perhaps it was the moment you realized avocado green and harvest gold are no longer the “in” colors for today’s trendy kitchens. Or maybe you had an epiphany one day as you stood in line to use your own […]

Remodeling your home can be an exciting and rewarding process. Whether you are making modest changes in one or two rooms or transforming the entire house, the process can be pleasant and smooth — IF you take the time to plan your project carefully. BAGI remodeling members suggest homeowners follow these 10 steps to help […]