Hammond Lumber Company, a family-owned company founded in 1953, with headquarters in Belgrade Maine, has announced the acquisition of a smaller competitor, Tukey Brothers, Inc., a sawmill in North Belgrade.
Wood Markets News
U.S. Home Prices Increase Nationwide in August 1.5%
The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), Home Price Index (HPI) reports that House prices rose nationwide in August, up 1.5% above July’s reading.
Consumer Confidence Slips in October
In October, American consumers became more concerned about their prospects for employment, incomes and the economy. As a result, consumer confidence suddenly pulled back in October.
The Share of Mortgage Loans in Forbearance Drops to 5.90% in Weekending October 18th, 2020
The latest Mortgage Banker Association’s (MBA) Forbearance and Call Survey reports that the total number of loans now in forbearance decreased by 2 basis points from 5.92% of servicers’ portfolio volume in the prior week to 5.90%, as of October 18, 2020.
Huron Central Railway Issues Layoff Notice to all Employees
While still working with and waiting on Ottawa and Queen’s Park to put together a $40 million package for track maintenance and safety upgrades to the 288-kilometer line, which would avert a system wide shutdown, the Huron Central Railway has issued a notice to all 43 employees that their positions will be terminated at the end of December should the railway cease operation.
S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller Report U.S. Home Prices Increase 5.7% in August
According to the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price NSA Index, covering all nine U.S. census divisions, increasing demand and limited availability caused home prices to increase at a reported 5.7% annual gain in August, up from 4.8% in the previous month.
Oregon Wildfires Hit Logging Companies and Their Families Hard
The wildfires in Oregon continue to smolder and some are still burning.
Holmen Investing in New Tunnel Drier for their Iggesund Sawmill
Holmen AB, the Stockholm Sweden based company, is investing SEK 70 million ($ 8 million) in a new drying plant which will increase its drying capacity at their Iggesund Sawmill from 400,000 to 500,000 m3.
Potential Home Buyers Believe Availability Will Improve in the Months Ahead
According to the latest National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) Housing Trends Report (HTR), 28% of prospective buyers in the third quarter of 2020 expected their search for a new or existing home would be easier in the months ahead.
New Home Sales Taper Off in September – Year-Over-Year Up 32.1%
The U.S. Census Bureau reported that the sales of new single-family houses in September 2020 were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 959,000.