WASHINGTON — Average U.S. rates for fixed mortgages rose this week to their highest levels in two years, driven by heightened speculation that the Federal Reserve will slow its bond purchases later this year. Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday ...

Tagged with: federal reserve freddie mac mortgage national association of homebuilders Real Estate u.s.

Confidence among U.S. homebuilders is at its highest level in nearly eight years, fueled by optimism that demand for new homes will drive sales growth into next year. The brighter sales outlook is the latest sign pointing to a sustained ...

Tagged with: consumer confidence Economy national association of homebuilders Real Estate united states

WASHINGTON — U.S. new-home sales jumped in January from the previous month to the highest level since July 2008, a sign that the housing recovery is accelerating. The Commerce Department said Tuesday that new-home sales rose nearly 16 percent in ...

Tagged with: commerce department home sales homes housing mortgage rates national association of homebuilders standard & poor's/case-shiller index

WASHINGTON — U.S. builders spent more to construct homes in August, further evidence of a housing rebound. Still, the increase couldn’t offset cuts in public projects and commercial real estate. Overall construction spending dipped 0.7 percent in August from July, ...

Tagged with: builders commerce department construction federal reserve homebuilders homes national association of homebuilders Real Estate spending

WASHINGTON — U.S. builders started work on more homes and apartments last month and requested more permits to build single-family homes. The increases suggest the battered housing market is healing. The Commerce Department said Wednesday that builders broke ground in ...

Tagged with: apartments builders building permits commerce department construction homes housing starts jobs mortgage rates national association of home builders/wells fargo builder sentiment index national association of homebuilders single-family homes Unemployment

WASHINGTON — Fewer people bought new homes in December. The decline made 2011 the worst year for new -homes sales on records dating back nearly half a century. The Commerce Department said Thursday new-home sales fell 2.2 percent last month ...

Tagged with: builders commerce department construction economist Economy homes housing market mortgages national association of homebuilders new-home sales price