Sales of newly-built homes took a small step lower in October, but remain strong. According to the Commerce Department, New Home Sales slipped 1,000 units last month, falling to 368,000 units on a seasonally-adjusted, annualized basis. The final reading fell short of Wall Street expectations, and the government revised downward its initial findings from August and September by 2,000 units and 20,000 units, respectively. A "new" home is a home that is considered new construction. Furthermore, the number of new homes for sale nationwide ticked higher to 147,000 -- the highest reading … [Read more...]
More Bullish Data : Housing Starts Climb 3.6%
According to a joint release from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Housing Starts rose 3.6% in October 2012, climbing to a seasonally-adjusted, annualized rate of 894,000 units. A "housing start" is a new home on which construction has started and the report gives buyers and sellers across Arizona yet one more reason to be optimistic for the 2013 housing market. Regionally, Housing Starts varied. The West and Midwest Regions posted gains between September and October 2012; and, the South and Northeast Regions posted declines. The latter was affected … [Read more...]
Single-Family Housing Starts Rise To 4-Year High
The housing market continues to improve. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, on a seasonally-adjusted, annualized basis, Single-Family Housing Starts rose to 603,000 last month, an 11 percent increase from the month prior and the highest reading in more than 4 years. A "housing start" is a home on which construction has started and home builders are breaking ground at rates not seen even during the 2010 federal home buyer tax credit period. It's a signal to home buyers throughout Arizona that the U.S. housing market may be permanently off its bottom. At least, the nation's home builders … [Read more...]
New Home Supply Remains Firmly In “Seller’s Market” Territory
The market for new construction homes remains strong nationwide. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the number of new homes sold slipped 0.3 percent in August 2012 to a seasonally-adjusted, annualized 373,000 units sold — just 1,000 units less than July 2012 and the second-highest reading since April 2010. April 2010 was the last month of that year's tax credit which granted home buyers up to $8,000 off of their federal tax bill. As compared to one year ago, sales of new homes are higher by 28%. Furthermore, during the same time frame, the median sale price of a new home … [Read more...]
Single-Family Housing Starts Remain Strong
The market for newly-built homes remains strong. As reported by the U.S. Census Bureau, July featured 502,000 single-family housing starts nationwide on a seasonally-adjusted, annualized basis, marking the fourth straight month during which single-family starts posted north of one-half million. The last time this milestone occurred was in the four months ending April 2010 -- the last month of that year's federal home buyer tax credit. A "housing start" is a home on which construction has started and the rise in single-family housing starts is yet one more signal to buyers in Phoenix and … [Read more...]