The new Growing Alberta’s Forest Sector Amendment Act 2020 has passed its first reading in the provincial legislature. The bill would replace the existing Forests Act, which has not been updated since 1971.
Wood Markets News
Buyers Views of Home Affordability Improves in Q3 2020
According to the Q3 2020 Housing Trends Report (HTR) from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), 27% of buyers reported being able to afford half or more of the homes available for-sale in their desired markets.
Led by Refinance, Mortgage Applications Increased 1.7% in Week Ending 23rd October 2020
According to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Weekly Mortgage Application Survey, for the week ending October 23rd, 2020, The Market Composite Index, a measure of mortgage loan application volume, increased 1.7% on a seasonally adjusted basis from one week earlier.
Natural Resources Canada Investing in Mass Timber Building at Chalk River Laboratories Site
Natural Resources Canada (NRC) is making a nearly $4 million (CAD) investment towards a series of mass timber buildings being constructed at the Atomic Energy of Canada Limited’s Chalk River Laboratories.
USDA Forest Service Researchers Report on the Life-Cycle Assessment of Redwood Lumber in US
The USDA Forest Service researchers recently published FPL-RP-706, October 2020 entitled Cradle-to-Gate Life-Cycle Assessment of Redwood Lumber in the United States.
Hammond Lumber Company Adds Second Lumber Manufacturing Facility
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.
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.