Housing Permits Jump Again

“Housing Starts” are privately-owned homes on which construction has started.  It is a very important measurement because it forecasts the supply of new homes in the future.

Starts dropped by 7% last month.  Before we get too concerned, last month’s slow figure was driven by the extreme cold that gripped the country.

Are home values trending higher?  Perhaps.  Housing starts are controlled by the foreman and Mother Nature.  Housing permits are controlled by the developer and the bank.

Housing permits are on the rise, posting another 8 percent jump.   Housing permits are typically a pretty good sign that the people with the most money to lose are seeing a good value in taking the risk.