Monthly, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), in conjunction with Wells Fargo, surveys builders that are members of the National Association of Home Builders to get the builder's take on the new home market.  This builder survey asks builders to rate the new home market conditions as they see it at that time of the survey and how they see the market 6 months down the road.  Questions are also asked to determine the level of traffic through displays by prospective buyers of new homes.  From this survey, the NABH and Wells Fargo publish the Housing Market Index (HMI) which basically reflects builder sentiment on the new home market.  Below is the interactive chart showing the Housing Market Index, or builder sentiment.

NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) / Builder Sentiment Chart