DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

Consumers are growing more pessimistic about future prospects for the economy, according to the latest survey from the Conference Board released on Tuesday. “Consumer confidence fell again in September 2023, marking two consecutive months of decline,” said Dana Peterson, chief economist at the business organization. “September’s disappointing headline number reflected another decline in the expectations index, as the present situation index was little changed. “Write-in responses showed that consumers continued to be preoccupied with rising prices in general, and for groceries and gasoline in particular,” Peterson added. “Consumers also expressed concerns about the political situation and higher interest rates.

Persons: ”, Dana Peterson, “, ” Peterson, “ Consumers, Kelly Mangold, Lisa Sturtevant Organizations: Conference, “, Federal Reserve, Census Bureau, U.S . Department of Housing, Urban Development, Real Estate Consulting, MLS, American Financial Corporation

The pace of new construction slowed in August amid high mortgage rates and weakening demand, the federal government reported on Tuesday. Housing starts fell 11.3% in August to an annual rate of 1.28 million, the lowest since the summer of 2020. Builders typically pull permits in anticipation of demand, but housing starts occur when lots are ready to be cleared following deposits on future purchases. “The combination of high interest rates, high pricing, and limited inventory has continued to plague the housing market. “And on the supply-side front, builders continue to grapple with shortages of construction workers, buildable lots and distribution transformers, which is further adding to housing affordability woes.

Persons: ”, Kelly Mangold, Alicia Huey, Ksenia Potapov Organizations: Housing, Real Estate Consulting, National Association of Home Builders, First American Financial Corp, “ Locations: Birmingham , Alabama

☆ Construction of new homes fell 8% in the US last month
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-19 | by ( Anna Bahney | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Builders are benefiting from the lack of existing homes for sale as owners hunker down, but higher mortgage rates pose a threat, said Odeta Kushi, deputy chief economist at First American Financial Corporation. Holding household income constant, the increase in mortgage rates reduced home-buying power by approximately $10,000, Kushi said. “There remains pent-up demand in the housing market, but higher rates put a strain on affordability,” said Kushi. Builders remain ‘cautiously optimistic’Builder confidence remains high despite concerns about rising rates. The National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index gauges market conditions and looks at current sales, buyer traffic and the outlook for sales of new construction homes over the next six months.

Persons: ”, Robert Frick, “, it’s, Odeta Kushi, Freddie Mac, Kushi, Alicia Huey, Robert Dietz, Dietz Organizations: DC CNN, Housing, Census, Navy Federal Credit Union, First American Financial Corporation, National Association of Home Builders, NAHB, Federal Reserve, Builders Locations: Washington, Wells Fargo

Search resuls for: "First American Financial Corp"

3 mentions found