Revving Up Existing Home Sales Crucial Step in Recovery

Recognizing that getting the trade-up housing market back into full gear is a prerequisite for a sustainable recovery from the current industry slowdown, NAHB last week provided home owners with information geared to helping them move their properties so they can use the proceeds from the sale to buy a new home.

In his weekly syndicated real estate column for the Washington Post Writers Group, Ken Harney recently wrote that home owners have more discretion during today’s housing downturn because the general economy has not lapsed into the full-fledged recession that usually always accompanies a real estate slump. Many sellers who haven’t been able to obtain the price they want have simply taken their homes off the market, deciding to ride things out until the situation improves. In part, Harney said, this explains why housing prices have held firm in many parts of the country even where the sales pace has slowed markedly. ...

Builders Sense Tide Is Turning for Housing Demand

Heading into the holidays, builders of new single-family homes continue to believe that the worst of the downswing in home buying is behind them, according to the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) for December. At 32 for the present month, the overall HMI is down a single point from November but remains above the recent low of 30 in September.

“This was the third consecutive month in which builder expectations for sales over the upcoming six-month period have improved, and it’s a good sign of things to come in the new year,” said NAHB President David Pressly. ...

Nation's Building News Will Not Be Published Dec. 25, Jan. 1

Nation's Building News will not be published on Dec. 25 or Jan. 1. Publication will resume on Jan. 8 with a special preview issue of the 2007 International Builders' Show.

Have a happy and warm holiday season.

Read Our International Builders' Show Preview on Jan. 8

Nation's Building News will be publishing a special issue on Jan. 8 that will highlight the upcoming 2007 International Builders' Show in Orlando, the largest residential and light commercial trade show in the world.

The issue will feature events, courses, schedules, products and more.  

More than 100,000 housing professionals, including home and apartment builders, architects and product manufacturers, are expected to attend the show at the Orange County Convention Center Feb. 7-10.

For more information, visit the International Builders' Show Web site at www.BuildersShow.com.