The U.S. Census Bureau has reported that privately‐owned housing starts in August were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of 1,416,000. This is -5.1% below the revised July estimate of 1,492,000, but is 2.8% above the August 2019 rate.
Wood Markets News
Canadian Forest Industry 2020 Contractor Survey Reports Operating Costs Continue to Increase
The results from the Canadian Forest Industries (CFI) 2020 Contractor Survey, which was conducted during the months of April and May of 2020 has some interesting findings.
LSU AgCenter’s Preliminary Estimate Sets Hurricane Laura Losses at $1.6 billion
According to preliminary estimates from the LSU AgCenter, Hurricane Laura caused about $1.6 billion in losses to Louisiana’s agriculture and forestry industries.
Soaring Lumber Sales Help Nova Scotia Sawmills Overcome Northern Pulp Mill Closure
There were major concerns about the future of the forest industry in the province of Nova Scotia when Northern Pulp shuttered their plant earlier in the year.
New Home Mortgage Applications Up Year-Over-Year in August
The Mortgage Bankers Association Builder Application Survey (BAS) data for August reveals that mortgage applications, year-over-year increased 33.3%.
Canadian Home Sales and Prices Up in August
The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) is reporting that Canadian homes sale set another new all-time record high in August rising 6.2% above July 2020.
Mortgage Applications Drop in Week Ending September, 11th 2020
According to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Weekly Mortgage Application Survey, for the week ending September 11th, 2020, the Market Composite Index decreased -2.5% on a seasonally adjusted basis from one week earlier.
Builders Confidence Hits All-Time Record High in September
The latest National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) indicates that builder confidence in the market for newly-built single-family homes increased 5-points to a reading of 83 in September.
Oregon Wildfires Are Negatively Impacting the State’s Forestland and Timber Industry
assive statewide wildfires continue to ravage Oregon’s forestlands and their timber industry as well.
Drone Video Shows the Extent of Damage to the Vernon Parish Unit of the Kisatchie National Forest
The U.S. Forest Service has conducted drone video surveillance of the Vernon unit of the Kisatchie National Forest, located in Vernon Parish, Louisiana, that was severely damaged by Hurricane Laura.