Wood Markets News


B.C. Becomes Mass Timber Hub of North America — How it All Began

According to Nate Bergen, project development manager at Kinsol Timber Systems, “British Columbia is currently seen as the hub of North America when it comes to mass timber architecture, engineering, and installation.” Bergen goes onto say in his interview with the Daily Hive, that “Aside from all the performance advantages of mass timber, some of the biggest benefits come from the ability to pre-plan and prefabricate mass timber buildings…”

Americans Continue to Place Homeownership on Hold

According to the National Association of Home Builders’ Q4 2021 Housing Trends Report (HTR), the share of U.S. adults planning a home purchase within the next 12 months has fallen for the second consecutive quarter. The share fell from 17% in Q2, to 16% in Q3, to 15% in Q4. The HTR sees more Americans postponing their homeownership plans due to higher home prices and low housing availability — relative to demand.

U.S. to Close Borders to Unvaccinated Canadian and Mexican Truckers Effective Saturday, January 22, 2022

In a statement released on Thursday (1-20-22) Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas, said, “Starting on January 22, 2022, the Department of Homeland Security will require that non-US individuals entering the United States via land ports of entry or ferry terminals along our Northern and Southern borders be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and be prepared to show related proof of vaccination.”

Leading Economic Index® for U.S. Increases in December

The Conference Board, a non-partisan, not-for-profit think tank founded in 1916, released today (1-21-22) the Leading Economic Index® (LEI) for the U.S. in December. According to the report, the LEI for the U.S. increased by 0.8% in December to 120.8 (2016 = 100), following a 0.7% increase in November, a 0.7% increase in October, and a 0.3% increase in September. The Conference Board Coincident Economic Index® (CEI) for the U.S. increased by 0.2% in December.

New Home Mortgage Applications Drop Both Month-Over-Month and Year-Over-Year in December

According to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) December Builder Application Survey (BAS), mortgage applications for new home purchases declined -7.1% year-over-year. Compared to November 2021, applications decreased by 5%. This change does not include any adjustments typical seasonal patterns. The BAS tracks application volume from mortgage subsidiaries of home builders across the country.

Canadian Unemployment Dips in November

Statistics Canada (StatsCan) reported on Thursday (1-20-22) that in the week ending November 13, 2021, approximately 692,000 Canadians were receiving regular Employment Insurance (EI). This is down 50,000 (-6.7%) from October. There were -1.0 million fewer regular EI beneficiaries in November than in May 2021, when the number of regular EI beneficiaries reached its COVID-19 pandemic peak.

Remodeler Sentiment Continued to Improve in Q4 2021

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Royal Building Products Remodeling Market Index (RMI) reports that residential remodelers’ sentiment in Q4 2021 increased to a reading of 83 — up four points from the Q4 2020 reading of 79. The increase is a sign, the report says, that reflects the positive sentiment of remodelers for projects of all sizes.

The Nanwakolas Council and Western Forest Products Reach Agreement on Old Growth Logging Deferral

An agreement between The Nanwakolas Council, which represents four First Nations, and Western Forest Products has led to the deferral of old-growth logging in a section of forest north of Campbell River for two years. The deferral includes preservation of 10 square km of forest identified by an old-growth advisory panel as needing protection. Another 15 square km of priority ancient forests were also deferred through other agreements.

Existing Home Sales Decline Month-Over-Month and Year-Over-Year in December

The National Association of Realtors® (NAR) reported on Thursday (1-20-22) that total existing home sales, which are completed transactions for single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums, and co-ops, declined -4.6% in December from November. Sales were at a seasonally adjusted rate at 6.18 million homes. Year-over-year sales are down -7.1% (6.65 million December 2020).