The Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Forbearance and Call Volume Survey for July 20th, reports that the total number of loans now in forbearance decreased by 38-basis points from 8.18% of servicers’ portfolio volume in the prior week to 7.80% as of July 12th, 2020.
Wood Markets News
Great Plains MDF Production Inc., Announces Plan to Build to New Facility in Stettler Alberta
In a press release, The Great Plains MDF Production Inc., officially announced that they intended to make Stettler Alberta the home of their new $ 750 million straw fiber Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) plant.
UPM Announces Permanent Closure of Jyväskylä Plywood Mill on 7-31-2020
UPM has provided additional information about the closing of its Jyväskylä plywood mill which was first announced in June. The Jyväskylä plywood mill will be permanently closed as of 7-31-2020.
American’s Considering Purchasing a Home Not Dissuaded by COVID-19 Pandemic
The latest National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Housing Trends Report (HTR) reveals that number of Americans who said they are considering the purchase of a home in the next 12 months was 11% in second quarter of 2020.
Canadian Home Prices Increase Just as Market Begins to Slow
According to the Teranet-National Bank Composite Home Price Index (CHPI) which tracks data collected from public land registries to measure changes for repeat sales of single-family homes, Canadian home prices were up 0.7% in June when compared to May.
Construction costs fall as material prices continue to rise – The Architect’s Newspaper
Even as construction jobsites reopen and workers return, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is continuing to negatively impact the architectural and construction markets.
Home Buyer Sentiment Fluctuates with Surge in COVID-19 Pandemic
U.S. homebuilding increased in June 2020, by the most in nearly four years. Accelerated by rising demand for housing in suburbs and rural areas. The result, of employers allowing employees to work from home, rather than come to the office during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Arkansas Governor Discusses Value of Arkansas’s Timber Industry
Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson knows the value of Arkansas’s timber industry. Nearly 57% of Arkansas is forested and Arkansas is the ninth largest timber producer in the United States.
University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index Retreats in July to Near April Low Level
The University of Michigan on Friday 7/17 reported the results of their July Consumer Sentiment Index. The Index has suddenly reversed retreating from the promising June level of 78.1 to 73.2, “due to the widespread resurgence of the coronavirus.”
Holmen AB Acquires Martinsons in Cash for Shares Sale
Holmen AB, one of Sweden’s largest forestry companies, has announced that they have signed an agreement to acquire, for cash, Martinsons, one of Sweden’s leading sawn and processed wood products companies.