PulteGroup, Inc. (NYSE: PHM ) is up more than 30% year-to-date, while Lennar Corporation (NYSE: LEN ), William Lyon Homes (NYSE: WLH ) Toll Brothers Inc (NYSE: TOL ) and D.R. Economists were calling for an economic recession, home-builder activity dropped due to adverse weather conditions, mortgage rates rose as inflation expectations picked up and renting remained the Millennial fad. Home-builder stocks have roared higher in 2017 as interest rates have remained low, unemployment has contracted, wages have grown, builder confidence has soared and Millennials have started buying homes .