housing

Housing shores up expansion with little inflation

By Jeanna Smialek and Lorraine Woellert, Bloomberg | June 18, 2013

Builders began work on more U.S. houses in May and permits for new single-family homes rose to a five-year high as residential real estate underpins an economy that’s generating little inflation.

Housing starts in U.S. rose in May to 914,000 annual rate

By Jeanna Smialek, Bloomberg | June 18, 2013

Beginning construction of new U.S. homes increased in May and permits to build single-family houses rose to a five-year high, extending a rebound that is helping shore up the expansion.

Homebuilder confidence in U.S. rises to a seven-year high

By Jeanna Smialek, Bloomberg | June 17, 2013

Confidence among U.S. homebuilders surged in June to the highest level in seven years, reflecting gains in sales as Americans rushed to take advantage of low mortgage rates.

Foreclosures jump as banks bet on rising home prices

By Dan Levy and Heather Perlberg, Bloomberg | June 13, 2013

Home repossessions in the U.S. jumped 11% in May after declining for the previous five months as rising prices and limited inventory for sale across the country spurred banks to complete foreclosures.

Growing faith in U.S. economy underpins comfort

By Jeanna Smialek, Bloomberg | June 6, 2013

Consumer confidence last week was unchanged near a five-year high as Americans had the least pessimistic views on the economy since 2008.

Service industries in U.S. expanded at a faster pace in May

By Michelle Jamrisko, Bloomberg | June 5, 2013

Service industries in the U.S. expanded at a faster pace in May, indicating the world’s largest economy is weathering a downturn in manufacturing and federal budget cuts.