Home Buyers are Turning to Older Homes [Monday Minute]


May 19, 2025, Edition

Ignite your mind and improve the way you are #CreatingWherePeopleLive

The Monday Minute Weekly Newsletter

is created by and for those designing homes in North America.

Its editorial staff is the American Institute of Building Design, Inc., the premier association of residential design professionals.

Here's what you get:

  • The Monday Minute Video
  • Industry News
  • Announcements
  • Events & Training
  • Recent Committee Activities
  • Amazing sponsors who help keep this newsletter free for the industry.

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Industry News

Volunteer to Serve on AIBD's Certification Board

The election is July 31, 2025, in Asheville, NC.

The National Council of Building Designer Certification (NCBDC) is part of the American Institute of Building Design and manages the Institute’s professional certification program.

Right now, the Council is running with just nine members, and it could really use your help!

Want to know more about the current Council, what it’s like to serve, or how to apply? Click the link below!

Source: AIBD

Three More Weeks to Enter the American Residential Design Awards​

Entries are due June 9, 2025

"ARDA" is the AIBD’s premier award program exhibiting design excellence in the residential building industry.

It spotlights the nation’s most creative and innovative residential designers, builders, remodelers, architects, developers, land planners, and interior designers.

Source: AIBD

Monthly New Residential Construction, April 2025

Single-family home permits: 922,000, down 5.1% from March.

Single-family starts: 927,000, down 2.1% from March.

The U.S. Census Bureau released the latest data on new residential construction for April 2025, highlighting trends in building permits, housing starts, and completions.

Total housing starts showed a slight monthly increase but remain below year-ago levels.

Single-family housing activity is declining across permits, starts, and completions.

Multi-unit housing remains a significant portion of new residential construction.

The data reflects a modest cooling in new residential construction activity as of April 2025.

Source: United States Census Bureau

Homebuyers Turn to Aging Properties as Construction Lags

The shortage of new housing is a key factor in the shift.

Sounds like an opportunity for more remodeling and additions.

According to an analysis released last Monday, the median age of homes purchased nationwide reached a record high of 36 in 2024, a significant jump from 27 in 2012.

“America’s housing stock is getting older by the year, and it’s not because buyers prefer vintage homes — it’s because we haven’t built enough new ones,” Sheharyar Bokhari, senior economist at Redfin, said in a statement.

Source: HOUSINGWIRE

British Designer 'Shocked' to See His Garden in Hit Drama

It has made an impression, his firm has seen a "20% increase in enquiries

Imagine watching the latest buzzworthy show, only to discover it’s set in a house you designed.

That's what happened to Mike Walker, owner of Native Landscape Design, when he saw a garden he designed featuring an outdoor kitchen, hot tub, sun loungers, and a large sofa that serves as a focal point for scenes involving a fictional crime family.

Source: BBC

Announcements

Welcome New Members

And those returning

Kade Thomas Beatty (UT), Student

JDS Consulting, PLLC (NC), Corporate

Winford Jones (UT), Professional

Javier Enrique Gonzalez Larrinua (FL), Professional

Thanks for Referring AIBD

This week's movers and shakers!

Welcome to the Compass Club! Thank you, Jeremy Moore, CPBD (TX), for referring a new Corporate Member!

Jeremy is our latest recipient of the Bill Ding Membership Award, and his next year of Professional Membership is on us!🎊🥳

The Compass Club is AIBD's recruitment rewards program. Compass Club members earn status rewards, logo products, and complimentary renewals.

Elevate Your Outdoors with NewTechWood Decking

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Events & Training

AIBD Chapters, Boards, and Councils

Click the links to add to your calendar.

May 20 - National Council of Building Designer Certification (Virtual) 11:00 am ET.

May 21 - Eastern Shore Chapter (Virtual) 3:30 pm ET

May 28 - Residential Design Connect Colorado (In Person) 9:00 am to 4:00 pm MT - Douglas County Library, 100 S Wilcox St, Castle Rock, CO 80104.

June 4 - Board of Directors (Virtual) 4:00 pm ET

June 18 - Eastern Shore Chapter (Virtual) 3:30 pm ET

Register Now!

The American Residential Design Awards Call for Entries is open through June 9, 2025.

SAVE THE DATES!

May 28 - Residential Design Connect Colorado (In Person) 9:00 am to 4:00 pm MT - Douglas County Library, 100 S Wilcox St, Castle Rock, CO 80104.

July 31, 2025 - Board, Council, & College Annual Meetings and the AIBD Annual Leadership Luncheon - Asheville, NC

August 1, 2025 - AIBD's Annual Membership Meeting - Asheville, NC

August 1 & 2, 2025 - Design & Build Asheville (AIBD's Diamond Jubilee)

CLICK HERE to reserve your hotel room.

AIBD Webinars

May 20 - High-Performance Homes Team - (Virtual) - 2:00 p.m. ET - (1.0 P4 CE)

May 27 - CE Watch Party - A Day in the Field with an Energy Inspector - 2:00 p.m. ET - (1.0 P4 CE)

June 3 - Tuesday at 2:00 - Chief Architect Template Creation - 2:00 p.m. ET (1.0 P3 CE)

June 5 - Thursday at 3:00 - How to Properly Light Stairs, Hallways and Textured Walls - 3:00 p.m. ET (1.0 P4 CE)

June 10 - Tuesday at 2:00 - Style Meets Function--Aging in Place and Universal Design - 2:00 p.m. ET (1.0 P4 CE)​

Training Events

Hosted By AIBD CE Providers

American Training Solutions - Look for other live in-person and virtual events.

AEC Daily - Look for other live in-person and virtual events.

CEAcademy - Look for other live in-person and virtual events.

Chief Academy 2025 - Coeur d'Alene - August 26-29 Sign Up!

Green Home Institute - Look for other live in-person and virtual events.

SoftPlan - Virtual training dates

TIBD Annual Convention - Download the Registration Form. ​

Traditional Building Conference - Williamsburg, VA - June 10-11 - Register

Design & Build Asheville - Asheville, NC - July 31 - August 2, 2025 (Reserve your hotel room). Celebrate AIBD's 75th Anniversary!

Recent Committee Activities

Volunteer to Serve on AIBD's Certification Board

The National Council of Building Designer Certification is looking for Certified Professional Building Designers to join the Council for the upcoming term! Council members are elected annually, and this year's meeting will be held on July 31, 2025, in Asheville, NC. Don’t worry if you can’t attend in person—you can join virtually. Want to know more about the current Council, what it’s like to serve, or how to apply? Click the link below!

Have a triumphant week.


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One more thing—we want to lead with transparency. AI was most likely used to complete this post in one way or another. Don't blame the technology if you find a mistake; in most cases, our emails are written by humans and AI-supported. Now and then, they are AI-generated and human-edited. Both humans and AI still make mistakes.

American Institute of Building Design (AIBD)

The American Institute of Building Design (AIBD) is a professional association that promotes the highest standards of excellence in residential building design. AIBD offers a variety of resources to its members, including continuing education, networking opportunities, and marketing assistance. AIBD is a valuable resource for anyone interested in a career in residential building design. If you want to improve your skills, network with other professionals, and stay up-to-date on the latest trends, AIBD is the perfect organization for you.

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