Privately‐owned housing starts in September were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,358,000. This is 7.0% above the revised August estimate of 1,269,000.
News in end use
Multi-Unit Construction Continues to Lift Canadian Housing Starts in September
The trend in housing starts was higher in September, up 3.9% to 254,006 units from August’s 244,511 units, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation reported.
Mortgage Applications Fall to Lowest Level Since 1995 in the Week Ending October 13th
Mortgage loan application volume decreased 6.9% on a seasonally adjusted basis from one week earlier, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.
US Builder Confidence Declines for Third Consecutive Month in October
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index fell four points to 40 in October.
To Afford a Median-Priced Home, US Homebuyer Must Earn 15% More Than a Year Ago
The average US home buyer must earn $114,627 to afford a median-priced home, Redfin reported. That is up 15%, or $15,285, from a year ago.
Canadian Consumer Price Index Increases 3.8% Year-Over-Year in September
In September, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased 3.8% on a year-over-year basis, down slightly from August’s 4.0% gain. The year-over-year deceleration was broad-based.
Canadian Home Sales Fall 1.9% Month-Over-Month in September
Home sales recorded over Canadian MLS® Systems declined 1.9% between August and September, the Canadian Real Estate Association reported.
US Home Prices Increase 5.3% Year-Over-Year in Q3
US single-family home prices increased 5.3% year-over-year in Q3, up from Q2’s revised annual growth rate of 2.9%, according to Fannie Mae’s latest Home Price Index (FNM-HPI).
Inflation in Building Materials Used in Residential Construction Moderated in September
The prices of inputs into residential construction less energy (i.e., building materials) was unchanged in September (not seasonally adjusted), the NAHB and Census Bureau reported.
US Remodeler Sentiment Trends Lower in Q3
The National Association of Builders/Westlake Royal Remodeling Market Index for Q3 declined 3 points to a reading of 65, down from 68 in Q2.