Reading Real Estate Tea Leaves: What Housing Market Data Shows
Buying a house is the ultimate indicator of consumer confidence; building more of them is an early hint at an economic upturn. So what are the housing reports pointing to now?
New Home Sales
Surge in New-Home Sales Signals Reviving Housing Market
Sales of new homes rebounded in March to the second fastest sales pace in three years, adding evidence of a sustained housing recovery.
U.S. New-Home Sales Jump to Highest in 4.5 Years
U.S. new-home sales jumped in January from the previous month to the highest level since July 2008, a sign that the housing recovery is accelerating. New-home sales rose nearly 16 percent in January to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 437,000, the largest percentage increase in nearly 20 years.
U.S. Home Sales Rise to 2nd-Highest Pace in 3 Years
U.S. sales of previously occupied homes rose in January to the second-highest level in three years, a sign the housing market is maintaining its recovery and helping to bolster the economy. The National Association of Realtors said Thursday that sales rose 0.4 percent in January compared with December.
Guess What Wall Street's Doing With Foreclosed Homes?
Despite the new housing construction boom, there are still lots of empty foreclosures out there, which banks have been trying to rent. But now, Wall Street wants to bundle those rental properties into securities and sell them to investors. Does this sound disturbingly familiar?
U.S. New-Home Sales Fell in Dec., Sales for Year Up
The housing market is back, but how strong will it be this year? New home sales were weaker than expected in December, down nearly eight percent from a year earlier. But the housing recovery for all of 2012 was surprisingly strong after the collapse that started four years earlier.
U.S. New-Home Sales Rise to Highest in 2.5 Years
U.S. sales of new homes jumped last month to the highest level in more than two years, further evidence of a sustained housing recovery that could help lift the lackluster economy. The Commerce Department said Wednesday that new home sales rose 5.7 percent in September to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 389,000.
New US Home Sales Edged Down 0.3 Percent in August
Sales of new homes in the United States dipped slightly in August from July but the median price of homes sold during the month rose by a record amount.
New Home Sales Surge Ahead in May at Fastest Pace in 2 Years
Americans bought new homes in May at the fastest pace in more than two years. The 7.6% increase suggests a modest recovery in the housing market is continuing, despite weaker job growth.
KB Home: Why This Homebuilder Will Never Be Great Again
Most homebuilders saw their shares pop higher Tuesday after heavyweight Lennar released better-than-expected quarterly numbers -- but not KB Home. In fact, its shares actually fell. Here's why KB isn't invited to the housing recovery party.
New Home Sales Dip for Second Straight Month, But Prices Surge
Sales of U.S. new homes fell in February for the second straight month, a reminder that the depressed housing market remains weak despite some improvement. But the Commerce Department also reported some positive signs.
What to Watch This Week: Malls, Tech, Homes and Papers
With 2012's first earnings season well under way, let's go over some of the items that will help shape the week that lies ahead: Here's why you should be watching one major mall owner, two tech giants, three homebuilders and a couple of old media behemoths.
New-Home Purchases Fall, 2011 Worst Ever for Sales
Fewer people bought new homes in December, making 2011 the worst sales year on record. The Commerce Department said Thursday new-home sales fell last month to a seasonally adjusted annual pace of 307,000. The pace is less than half the 700,000 that economists say must be sold in a healthy economy.
New-Home Sales Up in Nov. But 2011 Figures Dismal
Americans bought slightly more new homes in November, but 2011 will likely end up as the worst year for sales in history. The Commerce Department says new-home sales rose 1.6 percent last month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 315,000. That's less than half the 700,000 new homes that economists say should be sold to sustain a healthy housing market.
New-Home Sales Tick Up As Builders Slash Prices
Sales of new homes rose in September after four straight monthly declines, largely because builders cut their prices in the face of depressed demand. Analysts say the modest increase on the back of reduced prices suggests the struggling housing market is years away from a turnaround.