The advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 230,000 during the week ending August 19th, a decrease of 10,000 from the previous week.
Wood Markets News
US New Residential Single-Family Home Sales Increase in July
New residential single-family home sales for July were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of 714,000, 4.4% above the revised June rate of 684,000.
Mortgage Applications Decline in the Week Ending August 18th, Marking the Fifth Consecutive Drop
According to the Mortgage Bankers Association, mortgage loan application volume decreased 4.2% on a seasonally adjusted basis from one week earlier.
First-Time Homebuyers Currently Make Up 50% of All Buyers
Zillow reported that according to its 2023 Consumer Housing Trends Report, first-time buyers now make up 50% of all home buyers, up from 45% in 2022 and 37% in 2021.
Victoria, Australia, Announces Expansion of Forestry Worker Support Program
The Victoria, Australia, government announced additional support for timber workers and their communities ahead of a looming industry shutdown, Sky News reported.
Skanska Begins Construction on Cincinnati’s First Mass Timber Building
Skanska and Cincinnati Public Radio announced that they have broken ground on a new mass timber headquarters for CPR.
August Marks Two Milestone Anniversaries in US Mass Timber History
Mass Timber Strategy highlighted two milestone anniversaries in the month of August for mass timber usage in the US.
Tropical Storm Hilary Hinders Union Pacific Railroad in Two of Its California Subdivisions
Union Pacific Railroad has suspended service within its Mojave and Yuma subdivisions due to heavy rains and flooding from Tropical Storm Hilary, FreightWaves reported.
Canada Announces Challenge to US Softwood Lumber Duties
The Canadian trade ministry said in a statement on Monday that Canada has filed notices of intent to commence judicial review of US softwood lumber duties, Reuters reported.
Multifamily Built-For-Rent Housing Starts Remain Elevated in Q2
The count of multifamily, for-rent housing starts remained elevated in 2023Q2, according to the US Census Bureau and National Association of Home Builders.