Housing Starts Rise 4.8 Percent in June
Nationwide housing starts rose 4.8 percent in June to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.19 million units, according to newly released data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Commerce Department. Overall permit issuance increased 1.5 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.15 million. "This month's uptick in production is an indicator that the housing market continues to move forward," said NAHB Chairman Ed Brady, a home builder and developer from Bloomington, Ill. "At the same time, builders are adding inventory at a cautious pace as they face lot shortages and regulatory hurdles." "The June report is consistent with our forecast for a gradual but consistent recovery of the housing market," said NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz. "Single-family production should continue to strengthen throughout the year, buoyed by job growth, new household formations and low mortgage interest rates." Sin...