Housing Construction Markets Gradually Improving

Washington, DC, Feb. 6, 2015 -- Markets in 63 of the approximately 350 metro areas nationwide returned to or exceeded their last normal levels of economic and housing activity in the fourth quarter of 2014, according to the National Association of Home Builders.

NAHB's index nationwide score moved up slightly to .90, meaning that based on current permit, price and employment data, the nationwide average is running at 90 percent of normal economic and housing activity.

Meanwhile, 69% of markets have shown an improvement year-over-year.

“The markets are improving at a consistent pace,” said NAHB Chairman Tom Woods.

“A growing economy and rising consumer confidence should help drive the release of pent-up demand in 2015.”

“The encouraging news is employment, where the number of metros that reached or surpassed their norms rose by 23 in a year,” said NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe.
“However, single-family permits are only at 44% of normal activity, and remain the sluggish component of the index.”