Prior month at 60 (revised lower from 61). A reading above 50 means more respondents said conditions were good.
The gauge reached 65 in October which was a 10 year high. The index dipped to 62 in November and 61 in December. The range of estimates this month was 58 to 63.
The prior month was revised lower to 60 from 61.
David Crowe, NAHB chief economist, said the index meshes "with our forecast of modest growth for housing". He added, "The economic Outlook remains promising."
The groups gauge of perspective buyer traffic fell to a six-month low 44 January from 46 the prior month. The index of current single family home sales increased by 2 points to 67. The measure of six-month outlook decreased to 63 (from 66), the lowest since May 2015.
Confidence rose in the Midwest, but declined in the west, south and the Northeast. The 30 year fixed rate mortgage was 3.92%. This is above the low from 2015 at 3.59% but below the peak at 4.09%.
