Market Insights

There are two kinds of DIY consumers: High and Low. And they’re not equal.

The Home Improvement Research Institute announced the hiring of Pam Heidel as research analyst based in HIRI’s Tampa office. 

Heidel is a former president of the board of the non-profit HIRI. Also, from 2007 to 2014, she was employed by Generac Power Systems, most recently as marketing director – digital and consumer insights. 

Heidel also worked as marketing planning manager for Broan-NuTone from 2000 through 2007.

In a far-reaching plan that covered everything from foreclosures to new mortgage agreements, President Obama unveiled a “Homeowner Bill of Rights.” Here's the White House's fact sheet. And below are readers' comments.

Lou Holtz, football coach and motivational speaker, stepped on to the stage of the International...

Ivy Zelman says there is plenty of opportunity for growth in the single-family housing market and home improvement.

Pending home sales continued to gain in November and reached the highest level in 19 months, according to the National Association of Realtors.

The Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator based on contract signings, increased 7.3% to 100.1 in November from an upwardly revised 93.3 in October and is 5.9% above November 2010 when it stood at 94.5. The October upward revision resulted in a 10.4% monthly gain.

Surveys top choice shows something new, according to HomeSphere.

Consumer research from Port Washington, N.Y.-based NPD Group shows consumers are slightly less confident about the economy but are feeling better than last year.

The August 2012 NPD U.S. Economic Perception Indicator, a measure of consumer confidence, decreased slightly to 39.2, on a scale of 0 -- "very concerned" -- to 100 -- "very confident."

The August reading is down from 39.7 in July. A year ago, the perception indicator index was at 35.1.