Wood Markets News


Existing Homes Sales Decline for Fourth Consecutive Month in May

The National Association of Realtors® (NAR) is reporting that total existing home sales, which are completed transactions for single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops, declined in May for the fourth straight month, down -0.9% below April to a seasonally adjusted rate at 5.80 million homes. Year-over-year sales are up 44.6% (4.01 million May 2020).

Federal Housing Finance Agency Releases Q1 Foreclosure Prevention & Refinance Report

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), which regulates Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the 11 Federal Home Loan Banks, today (6-22-21) released their Q1 2021 Foreclosure Prevention and Refinance Report (FPRR), which shows that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises) completed 224,646 foreclosure prevention actions in Q1 of 2021, bringing the total number of homeowners who have been helped during conservatorships to 5.812 million.

Australia’s Vision for Forest Products Innovation

Citing other countries with world-leading forest industry research institutes that are delivering breakthrough discoveries right now, The Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) and the University of Tasmania are calling on the Australian Federal Government to invest $100 million (A$) over the next 4-years, with matching funds coming from the industry to correct Australia’s research shortfall.

KSI Sawmills Announces $4.5 Million Investment in New South, Australia Sawmill

KSI Sawmills has announced that they are making a $4.5 million-dollar (A$) investment in South Australia’s timber industry. KSI Sawmill currently operates a small mill at Nuriootpa and plans on building a new mill which will be strategically located allowing for expansion, offering improved transportation routes central to both local timber plantations and downstream markets.