According to the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price Index, strong homebuyer demand in July, combined with historically low mortgage interest rates propelled home prices higher in major markets across the U.S.
Wood Markets News
Mortgage Applications Decline in Week Ending September 25th, 2020
According to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Weekly Mortgage Application Survey, for the week ending September 25th, 2020, the Market Composite Index, a measure of mortgage loan application volume, decreased -4.8% on a seasonally adjusted basis from one week earlier.
Pending Home Sales Increase 8.8% in August – New Record High
The National Association of Realtors® (NAR) is reporting that their Pending Homes Sales Index (PHSI), which is based on signed real estate contracts, not actual closings, for existing single-family homes, condos, and co-ops, increased 8.8% in August to a reading of 132.8 – a record high.
North America’s Most Sustainable Building – The Catalyst Building – Welcomes Occupants
The five-story Catalyst Building, in Spokane Washington, is one of North America’s most sustainable buildings and opened for occupancy on September 17th, 2020.
Element5 Updates Construction Progress on the St. Thomas Ontario Mass Timber Construction Facility
Element5 has provided an update on their St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada, manufacturing facility. According to Element5 they are on track to possibly begin production of laminated prior to the end of the year.
Consumer Confidence Rebounds in September
The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index® increased in September, following a sharp decline in August. The Index now stands at 101.8 (1985=100), up from 86.3 in August.
Strong Buyer Demand in July 2020, sends National Home Price Index Values Higher
According to the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price Index, strong homebuyer demand in July, combined with historically low mortgage interest rates propelled home prices higher in major markets across the U.S. Nationally, home values rose 4.8% annually up from a 4.3% gain in June.
Home Listing for New Construction Dropped 4% in August
According to the latest report from Redfin, a technology-powered residential real estate company, based in Seattle Washington, new listings of newly-built homes dropped -4.1% year over year to a seasonally-adjusted rate of 74,000 in August, reversing course after a 3.8% gain in July.
Construction Employment Decreases in 39 States Year-Over-Year in August
According to the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) analysis of government data, construction employment decreased in 39 states year-over-year (YOY) between August 2019 and August 2020.
United States Appeals World Trade Organizations Ruling on Canadian Lumber Subsidies
The United States announced on Monday, (9/28) that it has appealed a World Trade Organization (WTO) ruling that favored Canada in the longstanding battle over lumber imports, describing the decision as “deeply flawed”.