US custom home building starts totaled 49,000 in Q2, down 9.0% year-over-year, the Census Bureau and NAHB reported.
Wood Markets News
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.
Auburn Engineers Work With US Air Force on Deployable Mass Timber Housing
Auburn engineers are working with the US Air Force on mass timber military housing designed for faster assembly and improved cold-weather performance.
President Trump Postpones 50% Tariff on Certain Canadian Goods for Three Days
President Trump postponed a 50% US tariff on certain Canadian goods for three days, saying Canada and the US have a pending deal.
Federal Funding Aims to Revive Two Grant County, OR, Sawmills
Federal funding totaling $6.15 million will support efforts to restart and upgrade sawmill and biomass operations in Grant County, Oregon.
Tolko Indefinitely Curtails Veneer Production at Heffley Creek
Tolko has indefinitely curtailed veneer production at its Heffley Creek mill in Kamloops, BC, citing wildfires, drought conditions, and limited fiber availability.
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.