NAHB said a family earning the US median income needed 32.0% of its income to afford a median-priced new home in Q1.
Wood Markets News
US Home Purchase Cancellations Edge Lower in April
Redfin reported that 13.4% of US home-sale agreements fell through in April, down 0.1 percentage points from March.
The Conference Board US Leading Economic Index Increases Slightly in April
The Conference Board Leading Economic Index rose 0.1% in April to 97.4, following a 0.6% decline in March.
University of Michigan Releases Final Results of Its Consumer Sentiment Index for May
The Index of Consumer Sentiment fell to 44.8 in May, down 10.0% from April and 14.2% from a year ago.
Canada’s First Tall Timber Passive House Building Welcomes Residents in Vancouver
Canada’s first tall timber Passive House building is welcoming residents in Vancouver, BC, combining mass timber construction with Indigenous design.
US Housing Starts Fall in April; Permits and Completions Rise
US housing starts fell 2.8% in April, while permits rose 5.8% and completions increased 4.8%.
US Mortgage Rates Climb in the Week Ending May 21
The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.51%, up from 6.36% the previous week, Freddie Mac reported.
Colorado Mountain Pine Beetle Outbreak Expands 148% in 2025
Colorado’s mountain pine beetle outbreak expanded 148% from 2024 to 2025, with infestations expected to intensify amid heat and drought stress.
Germany’s Timber Industry Retains Pessimistic Outlook for the Next Six Months
Germany’s timber industry business climate indicator improved slightly in April, although companies remained pessimistic about the next six months.
US Weekly Initial Jobless Claims Decline in the Week Ending May 16
The advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial unemployment claims was 209,000, a decrease of 3,000 from the previous week.