MBA Purchase Applications

MBA's purchase index popped 6.7 percent higher in the July 3 week to a 285.6 level that hints at improved demand for housing.

Pending home sales inch up in U.S., South

New figures from the National Association of Realtors show its Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator based on contracts signed in May, increased 0.1 percent to 90.7 in April. That reading is 6.7 percent higher than in May 2008 when it was 85.

Home-Price Declines in 20 U.S. Cities Eased in April

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Housing flashes signs recession may be ending

Fresh signs that the economy is stabilizing — though at very low levels — emerged Tuesday in reports that home construction rose more than expected last month

Home prices fall at record pace in first quarter

National home prices are at levels not seen since the end of 2002, but a closer look at data released Tuesday shows the worst may be over for some cities.

U.S. Housing Starts Drop to Record-Low 458,000 Pace

May 19 (Bloomberg) -- Builders broke ground on the fewest homes on record in April as a plunge in work on condominiums and apartment buildings overwhelmed the second straight gain in starts on single-family properties.

U.S. Homebuilder Confidence Rises to Eight-Month High

May 18 (Bloomberg) -- Confidence among U.S. homebuilders in May increased to the highest level since September, providing further evidence that the housing slump that started in 2006 may be closer to a floor.

U.S. Pending Home Resales Increase for a Second Month

May 4 (Bloomberg) -- The number of Americans signing contracts to buy previously owned homes jumped in March for the first back-to-back gain in almost a year, reinforcing signs that the housing slump in its fourth year may be near a bottom.

DJ CME Lumber Review: Ends Mixed In Fund Spreading

The May contract settled $0.70 per 1,000 board feet lower at $173.00, while July ended $2.90, or 1.55%, lower at $183.70. The September contract was up $1.00 at $195.50

Housing index posts biggest jump in 5 years

The National Association of Home Builders says its housing market index posted its biggest one-month jump in five years in April as many homebuyers seized on lower prices and incentives.

CME Lumber Review: Ends Firm After Very Light Session

The May contract settled $1.70 higher at $185.70, while July ended $3.70, or 1.96%, higher at $192.70. The September contract was up $1 at $201.00.

Help available for purchase of foreclosed homes

The Georgia Dream-Neighborhood Stabilization Purchase Program will provide $14,000 to each eligible borrower purchasing foreclosed properties in the state’s areas of greatest need. The 15-month program begins tomorrow, April 1st. All program funds must be disbursed by June 30, 2010.

DJ CME Lumber Review: Ends Narrowly Mixed After Spread-Trading

Commodity fund-style traders were rolling long positions out of the May contract and into the July, and locals and commission houses were there to take the other side of such spreads, brokers said.

DJ CME Lumber Review: May Ends Limit-Up After Economic Reports

The May contract settled $10.00 per 1,000 board feet, or 5.98%, higher at $177.30, while July ended $8.00, or 4.53%, higher at $184.50. The September contract was up $8.50, or 4.51%, at $196.90.

DJ CME Lumber Review: Light Trading Leaves Prices Mixed

The May contract settled down $1.90 per 1,000 board feet, or 1.13%, at $165.60, while July ended $1.10 lower at $175.40. The September contract was off $0.30 at $186.50.

Could the Housing Market Be at a Bottom?

The adjustment down for home sales has been nothing short of unbelievable but has it been enough? Just maybe.

DJ CME Lumber Review: Prices End Mostly Higher After Quiet Day

The May contract settled up $1.10 per 1,000 board feet at $160.90, while July ended $0.80 higher at $171.40. The September contract was off $0.30 at $182.10.

CME Lumber Review: March Expires $4 Lower In Weak Cash

The March contract settled down $4, or 2.78%, at $140, while May ended 90 cents lower at $159.10. The July contract was off $0.60 at $169.30.

CME lumber uneven ahead of March expiration

Demand for lumber continued to languish, and most prices finished flat to down,' Random Lengths said. 'Despite extensive curtailments across the U.S. and Canada, many traders observed that production continued to outweigh demand.

CME lumber turn mostly lower on slow cash trade

At 10:15 a.m. CDT (1515 GMT) March lumber 2LBH9 was off 60 cents at $146.00 per tbf with May 2LBK9 off 90 cents at $161.60 per tbf.