As the overall U.S. economy struggles to get back on track, the housing industry is in position to lead the economic recovery.
News in covid 19
Personal and Disposable Income Decrease in June
The U.S. Commerce Department \ Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) is reporting that personal income in June decreased by $222.8 billion or -1.1%.
FEA’s Weekly Orders Survey – Dealers Remain Optimistic About Near-Term Business Activity
Additional positive news coming from the housing industry this week, combined with continuing near record low mortgage rates, and an increase in the number of buyers who are actively pursuing the purchase of a new or existing home, provided dealers responding to our Weekly Orders Survey more reasons to remain optimistic about their near-term business activity.
The Number of Buyers Actively Searching for Their ‘Dream Home’ Increase in Second Quarter of 2020
A deeper look into the latest National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Housing Trend Report (HTR) reveals that despite the COVID-19 pandemic, near record low mortgage rates have approximately 11% of adult Americans not only considering a future home purchase within the next year, but a majority of them are seriously and actively searching.
Gross Domestic Product Declines -32.9% on Annualized Basis in Second Quarter of 2020
The Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) is reporting that Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which is the widest measure of goods and services produced in the U.S., fell -9.5% in the second quarter of 2020.
Shift from Urban Condo to Suburban New House Living Continues
A deeper dive into the U.S. Commerce Department’s report on the sales of new single-family homes for June reveals that as the COVID-19 pandemic continues there is a noticeable move from condos towards new houses.
Lumber and Panel Industry Not Prepared for Surge in DIY and Home Remodeling Projects During COVID-19 Pandemic
According to Statistics Canada, 5.5 million Canadian workers have been impacted by shutdowns, either from loss of employment or COVID-19 related absences.
NAHB Reports Real Rent Index Declined For the First Time Since 2013 in June
The National Association of Home Builders is reporting that their Real Rent Index (RRI) declined by ~0.1% in June.
FEA’s Weekly Order Survey – Dealers Outlook Remains Up Tempo
Dealers responding to this week’s Builder Activity Survey, noted that the uptick in June housing starts and permits, existing home sales, along with continuing record low mortgage interest rates and a drop in overall unemployment have all contributed to their upbeat outlook for their sales in the months ahead.
B.C. Sawmills High Operating Costs Slows Province and Industry Recovery
The British Columbia forest industry was deteriorating prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since mid-2019, B.C. has experienced a disproportionately high number of sawmill closures and curtailments compared with other states and provinces.