WASHINGTON — Americans signed fewer contracts to buy previously occupied homes last month, the latest sign the housing market recovery is uneven. The National Association of Realtors said Thursday that its index of sales agreements fell 1.4 percent last month ...

Tagged with: builders construction contracts Economy home sales housing market inventories National Association of Realtors single-family homes

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, ...

Tagged with: builder confidence builders commerce department construction Economy housing starts National Association of Home Builders new homes permit sales single-family homes

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 — The housing market is flashing signs of health ahead of the spring-buying season. Sales of previously occupied homes are at their highest level since May 2010. More first-time buyers are making purchases. And the supply of homes fell ...

Tagged with: economists foreclosure home sales homebuilders mortgage rates National Association of Realtors previously occupied homes prices Real Estate single-family homes washington

WASHINGTON — Construction of single-family homes in the U.S. cooled off slightly in January after surging in the final month last year. But a rise in permits suggests builders are growing more confident that more buyers are ready to come ...

Tagged with: builders commerce department construction homes housing industry housing starts National Association of Home Builders permit single-family homes

WASHINGTON  — Builders ended 2011 with a third straight year of dismal home construction and the worst on record for single-family home building. But improvement at the end of the year lifted hopes for an eventual recovery. In December, builders ...

Tagged with: builders buyers commerce department construction Foreclosures home construction homes mortgage National Association of Home Builders new homes purchases Recession sellers single-family homes

WASHINGTON — A surge in apartment construction gave home builders more work in November. And permits, a gauge of future construction, rose largely because of a jump in apartment permits. Some analysts say the gains, though coming off extremely low ...

Tagged with: builders commerce department construction Economy Foreclosures housing market housing starts permit short sales single-family homes Taxes

WASHINGTON — U.S. builders spent slightly more in September on home construction, partially offsetting losses in public schools, roads and government offices. Construction spending rose 0.2 percent in September from August to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $787.2 billion, ...

Tagged with: builders home construction home sales homes National Association of Home Builders Real Estate september single-family homes

WASHINGTON — Builders broke ground on fewer homes in August, evidence that the housing market remains depressed. The Commerce Department said Tuesday that builders began work on a seasonally adjusted 571,000 homes last month, a 5 percent decline from July ...

Tagged with: apartments builders building permits commerce department Foreclosures housing housing market new homes short sales single-family homes