Housing Economics - 02/20/2008 (Plain Text Version)

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In this issue:
Housing Starts Up 0.8 %, But Permits Still Down
Where Will the Economy Go in 2008? Housing & Economic Outlook Seminar at IBS
Quick Read: Housing Statistics
The Seiders' Report: A Housing Overview by the NAHB's Chief Economist
Consumer Preferences, Multifamily & Remodeling Outlook: Handouts
Building Permits & Employment Data for 361 Metropolitan Areas
Affordability Key for Selling to First-Time Home Buyers
Executive-Level Forecast Available for Download
The Impact of Housing on Your Local and State Economies

Housing Starts Up 0.8 %, But Permits Still Down

Total housing starts increased 0.8 percent in January 2008 to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.012 million, while permits fell 3 percent from December to a 1.048 million rate. Construction of single-family homes dropped 5.2 percent in January to a 743,000 rate, the lowest in 17 years; starts of multifamily units, which include both apartments for-rent as well as condominiums, increased 22 percent to 269,000 following a very weak performance in December.

Housing Starts and Building Permits for January 2008

DATE

CURRENT

LAST

% Change

Download Starts and Permits

Starts

2/20/2008

1.012M

1.004M

+ 0.8%

Permits

2/20/2008

1.048M

1.080M

- 3.0%

Total housing starts increased 0.8 percent in January 2008 to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.012 million, while permits fell 3 percent from December to a 1.048 million rate. Starts of single-family homes dropped 5.2 percent in January to a 743,000 rate, the lowest in 17 years; starts of multifamily units, which include both apartments for-rent as well as condominiums, increased 22 percent to 269,000 following a very weak performance in December.

Read additional information and download data (Excel) for Housing Starts & Permits.

NAHB related press releases:

"Housing Starts Remain Virtually Flat in January" (01/20)

"Builders Remain Cautious as Buyer Traffic Improves in February". (01/19)