U.S. builder confidence dips amid budget impasse
U.S. homebuilders are feeling less confident in the housing market, reflecting their uncertainty over the budget impasse in Washington. The National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo builder sentiment index released Wednesday fell to 55 in October. That’s down from a reading of 57 in September. September’s reading was revised one point lower from its initial […]
Builder confidence steady, rates a concern
U.S. homebuilders’ confidence in the housing market held this month at its highest level in nearly eight years. But builders are starting to worry that sales may slow if mortgage rates continue to rise. The National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo builder sentiment index released Tuesday registered at 58 this month. That’s unchanged from August, […]
Measure of home prices rises by most in 6 years
WASHINGTON — A measure of U.S. home prices jumped 4.6 percent in August compared with a year ago, the largest year-over-year increase in more than six years. CoreLogic, a private real estate data provider, also said Tuesday that prices rose 0.3 percent in August from July, the sixth straight monthly gain. Steady price increases, combined […]
Home construction in slow but steady comeback
WASHINGTON — Home construction is making a long-awaited recovery that could help energize the U.S. economy. From areas like Phoenix that are finally arising from the housing bust to cities like Chicago and Minneapolis where strong economies have lifted demand, residential construction is healthier than at any time since sales and prices collapsed five years […]
Home building slows, permits hit three-and-a-half-year high
WASHINGTON — U.S. builders requested the most permits in March for single-family homes and apartments in 3½ years, suggesting that many expect the housing market to improve over the next year. The Commerce Department said Tuesday that permits, a gauge of future construction, rose 4.5 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 747,000 in March. […]