Rising Land Risk: 5 Key Takeaways from The Builder’s Daily Feature

The market is shifting, the margins are tighter, and the stakes for land decisions have never been higher. In a recent feature, The Builder’s Daily spotlighted Acres.com and the growing blind spots many home builders face when it comes to land. 

Home builders today are navigating volatile demand, rising input costs, and constrained capital—but too many still rely on outdated, incomplete information. Acres delivers forward-looking land intelligence and full portfolio visibility, giving builders the clarity they need to future-proof their pipeline.

This blog unpacks the article’s biggest takeaways, and what they mean for builders trying to protect profits and make smarter land plays in 2025.

1. The Margin for Error Is Shrinking

“Every major U.S. homebuilder right now is juggling multiple realities: sluggish purchase activity, spotty, iffy, and choppy absorption rates, unpredictable lot pipelines, renewed material price pressures, and a capital environment where mistakes in land buys can quickly crater margins.”

In an environment with numerous pressures, builders can’t afford to make a mistake when it comes to land acquisition.

Acres provides complete land intelligence to help mitigate pipeline risk and support confident, data-backed land decisions. From zoning and infrastructure to demographics and competitor intel, it's the full picture in one platform.

2. How Builders Can Gain Clarity Before Buying Land

“Market visibility today is murky. Even as mortgage rates edge down, purchase applications slipped 3% in August, according to NAHB. Builders are still absorbing 3.4% year-over-year increases in material costs, and 64% report lot shortages, especially for desirable “A” locations.”

By surfacing up-to-date data on competitor land transactions through the Acres Home Builder Index, builders can spot oversaturated markets before committing capital—avoiding costly missteps and gaining a strategic edge.

3. Outdated Land Data Puts Builders at Risk

"...whether or not a builder buys into Acres’ particular solution, the broader premise — that builders need real-time, portfolio-wide visibility into land positioning and competitive activity — is fast becoming non-negotiable." 

Many builders still lean on spreadsheets, rumor-based insights, or lagging public records. This patchwork approach leaves teams exposed, unable to fully see their own portfolios or anticipate competitor movements. 

Acres consolidates market data and portfolio visibility into a single platform—giving leaders clarity where it matters most.

4. Future-Focused Insights for Builders Who Can’t Afford Blind Spots

"That kind of infrastructure matters in a field where trust, speed, and clean data are not just nice-to-haves, but competitive requirements."

Builders don’t just need data. They need foresight. 

The Acres Home Builder Index delivers early signals of builder activity and demand trends. Monthly updates from our in-house team of data analysts equips teams with the clarity to move fast and the confidence to stay ahead of the market.

5. How Builders Gain an Edge with Land Intelligence

 “We often hear from division presidents, land acquisition heads, and C-suite leaders who know they need to invest in their land intelligence—but feel constrained by old systems, limited staff, or internal inertia.”

Acres takes a proactive approach. Our team is hands-on from day one, offering dedicated onboarding, training, and support to ensure every builder gets the most from their investment. Transitioning doesn’t have to be disruptive—it can be a fast track to smarter deal flow, clearer insights, and stronger ROI.

Smart Land Strategy in a Risky Market: How Acres Turns Data Into Foresight

Land risk is climbing, and so is the cost of ignoring it. For builders, the way forward requires clarity—across portfolios, competitors, and the broader market. Acres transforms decision-making from reactive to proactive, equipping builders to navigate uncertainty with confidence.

Ready to see what’s possible with complete land intelligence?

Request your Acres Home Builder Index demo today.

Because no one should make decisions in the dark. The Acres Home Builder Index puts the whole picture in your hands.