Housing Economics - 04/17/2007 (Plain Text Version)By David F. Seiders, NAHB Chief Economist
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E-mail Our Editor Housing Production Edges UpwardBuilders started new homes in March at an annual rate of 1.518 million, an increase of 0.8 percent from a downward-revised February level. The increase in starts was led by a 45 percent gain in the Midwest, though production fell in the Northeast, South, and West. Authorizations for building permits, an indicator of future building activity, also rose in March by 0.8 percent to a seasonally adjusted 1.544 million units, led by a 17 percent jump in the Midwest.
Read additional information and download data (Excel) for Housing Starts & Permits. Quick Read: Housing Market Statistics
= Available for HousingEconomics.com subscribers [return to top] Examining the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI)The NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) has gained increasing prominence over the past few years. Today, Wall Street firms, the Federal Reserve and other government officials, and various economic analysts, as well as the news media look to the HMI to provide insight as to the health and probable course of the housing market. In this study, we examine the HMI and its ability to predict housing variables. The HMI is based on a survey that has been mailed to a panel of NAHB builder members every month since January 1985. The survey asks builders to rate housing market conditions based on their experiences. About 400 responses are obtained each month. Builders, with their experience and close contact with local market conditions, provide timely information about current housing market conditions as well as how home sales are likely to behave in the future.
The Housing Market Index (HMI) is a weighted average of responses to survey questions asking builders to rate three aspects of their local market conditions: current sales of single-family detached new homes, expected sales of single-family detached new homes over the next 6 months, and traffic of prospective buyers in new homes.
Key Indicators for the Housing Industry
Building Permits, Employment and Population Data for States and MetrosBuilding Permits and Employment data by State and Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), are available for download (Excel tables). Also available for HousingEconomics.com subscribers:
Calendar: Data Releases for April-May 2007Mark your calendar for all of the housing industry key data and primary indicators for April-May 2007. Print here the schedule of release dates for economic indicators. (PDF) 2007 release date calendar (Excel) [return to top] Do You Know How Housing Impacts Your Local and State Economies?Look ahead with the Home Builders Forecasts by region and type such as:
Whether you advise, consult or work specifically on improving your own company’s profitability, you can rely on the premier data source for the U.S. housing industry, HousingEconomics.com The NAHB Economics Group has provided research and analytical solutions to member companies and professional economists since 1970. This kind of editorial excellence and in-depth analysis can only be found at www.HousingEconomics.com. [return to top] For more information or to contact us directly, please visit www.NAHB.org | ©2007, National Association of Home Builders | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||