A deeper dive into the U.S. Census Bureau’s Construction Spending data, provided by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) reveals that total private residential construction spending increased 2.7% in November, to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $658.1 billion.
Wood Markets News
2021 Brings Two Major Changes to Oregon’s Forest Practice Act
Oregon’s Forest Practice Act amended to expand buffers for herbicide application and protect stream habitat.
Australia Looks to Grow Log Trade With India
Australia turns to India as a new market for logs exports
U.S. Single-Family Homes are getting Smaller
Census Bureau’s Characteristics of New Housing shows home sizes declined in 2019 compared to 2015
U.S. Construction Spending Up 3.8% Year-Over-Year
Construction Spending Increased in November
Pending Homes Sales Decline for Third Straight Month – But Remain 16.4% Above 2019 Levels
The National Association of Realtors® (NAR) has reported their Pending Homes Sales Index (PHSI), which is based month-over-month contract activity, that is signed real estate contracts, not actual closings, for existing single-family homes, condos, and co-ops, declined for the third straight month in a row, declining -2.6% in November to a reading of 125.7.
The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat Announces New Online Resource for Mass Timber Use in Tall Buildings
Thanks to a USDA Forest Service Grant, the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) has been able to develop an online resource for those interested in mass timber use in tall building construction.
Mortgages in Forbearance Increase in Week Ending December 24th, 2020 but Remain at 5.3% of all Loans
According to Black Knight, one of the premier providers of integrated technology, data and analytics solutions for lenders and financial businesses, the number of mortgages in active forbearance rose by 20,000 in the week ending on Thursday, December 24th.
S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price NSA Index Reports Home Prices Gained in October
According to the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price NSA Index report, which covers all nine U.S. Census divisions, home prices on an annual basis gained 8.4% in October, up from a 7.0% increase in September.
China Announces New Bans on Timber Imports from Australia’s States of New South Wales and Western Australia
China adds New South Wales and Western Australia to its list of Australian states from which timber imports are banned.