Market Insights

Denver, Oregon and Washington set the pace for home-price growth 

The permit requires what? Finding out the details often causes delays for homeowners.

The Federal Reserve, in a Jan. 4 report sent to members of Congress who sit on banking committees, warned that mortgage lending standards are holding back the nation’s economy.  

The 26-page white paper was an unusual foray into the housing sector for an agency concerned primarily with monetary policy. But Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke stated: “Restoring the health of the housing market is a necessary part of a broader strategy for economic recovery.”  

U.S. retail and food services improved slightly in November, but NAICS code 444 retailers took a step backward. 

The U.S. Census Bureau announced Tuesday morning that advance estimates of U.S. retail and food services sales for November, adjusted for seasonal variation and holiday and trading-day differences, but not for price changes, were $399.3 billion, an increase of 0.2% from the previous month and 6.7% above November 2010.

Home Channel News Tuesday asked the following question: Which of the following is the biggest threat to small business today: a) too little credit; b) too much regulation; c) the economic slowdown; or d) all of the above.

The most popular response was “all of the above.” Here are some highlights from reader letters:

The Home Depot's top merchant looked back at a strong quarter, and looked ahead to paint, pro and patio.

Speaking here at the International Builders’ Show during a press conference on housing starts, Nationwide Insurance Chief Economist David Berson made himself clear on the issue of declining gas prices.

Residential construction comes out ahead of last year, but down from last month.