Privately‐owned housing starts in March were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,321,000. This is 14.7% below the revised February estimate of 1,549,000.
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Canadian Housing Starts Decline in March
The monthly seasonally adjusted annual rate of housing starts in Canada declined 7% to 242,195 units in March, down from 260,047 in February.
Mortgage Applications for New Home Purchases Move Higher in March
The Mortgage Bankers Association Builder Application Survey increased 1.0% month-over-month and 6.2% year-over-year in March.
Canadian Consumer Price Index Inches Higher in March
In March, the Canadian Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased 2.9% year-over-year. This follows a 2.8% gain in February.
US Builder Confidence Unchanged in April; Remains Above Breakeven Point
The National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index held steady at a reading of 51 in April.
US Residential Building Materials Costs Continue to Climb in March
The prices of goods used in residential construction, less energy, increased for the fifth consecutive month in March, the BLS and NAHB reported.
Canadian Existing-Home Sales Inch Higher Month-Over-Month in March
CREA reported that home sales recorded over Canadian MLS® Systems inched 0.5% higher month-over-month.
University of Michigan Reports Preliminary Results of Its Consumer Sentiment Index for April
The University of Michigan Index of Consumer Sentiment declined 1.9% month-over-month but rose 22.3% year-over-year in April.
Fixed-Rate Mortgages Climb Higher in the Week Ending April 11th
The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.88%, up from last week when it averaged 6.82%, Freddie Mac reported.
Remodeling Market Sentiment Remained High in Q1
The NAHB/Westlake Royal Remodeling Market Index dipped a single point to a reading of 66 when compared to 2023Q4.