US custom home building starts totaled 49,000 in Q2, down 9.0% year-over-year, the Census Bureau and NAHB reported.
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US Mortgage Rates Decline in the Week Ending August 20
The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.65%, down from 6.67% the previous week, Freddie Mac reported.
US Weekly Initial Jobless Claims Decrease in the Week Ending August 15
The advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial unemployment claims was 206,000, a decrease of 6,000 from the previous week.
US Existing-Home Prices Trend Higher in July
US home prices rose 0.27% in July on a seasonally adjusted basis, while year-over-year price growth accelerated to 3.4%, Redfin reported.
US Apartment Rents Rise at Fastest Pace in More Than a Year in July
The typical US asking rent rose 2.3% year-over-year to $1,962 in July, the fastest annual growth rate in more than a year, according to Zillow.
US Mortgage Applications Slip in the Week Ending August 14
Mortgage loan application volume decreased 0.4% on a seasonally adjusted basis from one week earlier, MBA reported.
Canadian Existing-Home Sales Trend Higher in July
Existing-home sales in Canada rose 0.5% in July as new listings fell 1.6% and the national sales-to-new listings ratio tightened to 51.3%, CREA reported.
US Housing Starts Drop in July; Permits Rise
US housing starts fell 12.4% in July. Permits rose 5.0% and completions fell 9.1%.
US Pending Home Sales Decline in July
Pending home sales fell 2.3% and 2.2% year-over-year in July, reaching their lowest level since January, NAR reported.
Canadian Housing Starts Fall in July
Canadian housing starts fell 5% in July to 229,074 units (SAAR), while the six-month trend edged down 0.5% to 247,377 units, CMHC reported.

