Housing

U.S. new-home construction rose by more than forecast in March on a rebound in multifamily starts, giving a boost to first-quarter economic growth, government figures showed Tuesday.

Builders’ confidence in the market for new single-family homes remained high as the National Association of Home Builders' housing market index dipped to 69 in April from 70 in March.

Pending home sales gained 3.1% to an index reading of 107.5 in February, from a downwardly revised 5.0% decline to 104.3 in January.

Home prices rose 6.2% on an annual basis in January, not seasonally adjusted, according to the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price Index, released Tuesday.

Some of the oomph for multifamily housing bonds comes from additional federal funding for public housing agencies which are partners in these bond deals while the remainder comes from programmatic changes in the law.

New single-family home sales pace slowed down slightly by 0.6% to 618,000, following sharp upward revisions to January, December, and November.

Existing home sales rose in February as sales gain in the West and South offset decreases in the Northeast and Midwest.

U.S. new-home construction cooled by more than expected in February on a reversal in the volatile multifamily category.

Builders’ confidence in the market for new single-family homes remained high in March

Sonoma County voters may be asked this fall to support a massive housing bond aimed at solving a housing crisis exacerbated by the devastating October wildfires.