NAHB: May Home Builder Confidence Hits Highest Level in 7 Months

The National Association of Home Builders reported the highest builder confidence reading in seven months for May. May's reading exceeded expectations for an index reading of 64 and rose three points to 67. Component readings for the main NAHB reading were also higher. Builder confidence in current housing market conditions rose three points to 72; confidence in housing market conditions for the next six months rose one point to 72 and the reading for buyer traffic in single-family housing developments rose two points to 49. Any reading over 50 indicates most builders are positive about housing market conditions, but the…
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I Can’t Believe It’s Not Grass!

For those who have not taken a look at the innovative technology that is now used to make artificial grass, they will be surprised at how realistic some of the newest products look when compared to living grass. Installing artificial grass, which is high quality, does not come cheap. Prices range from $8 to $14 per square foot. However, this investment may pay off well because of improved resale value, low monthly water bills, and other benefits. The best artificial grass can last up to 25 years with little to no maintenance. Here is a comparison of the advantages and…
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What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – May 13th, 2019

Last week's economic news included readings on job openings and inflation. Weekly reports on mortgage rates and first-time jobless claims were also released. April Inflation Falls Short of Expectations The Consumer Price Index for April fell by 0.10 percent to 0.30 percent. Analysts expected a reading of 0.40 percent, which hatched the March reading. The Core Consumer Price Index excludes volatile food and fuel sectors; core inflation grew by 0.10 percent in April, which matched the March reading and fell short of the expected growth rate of 0.20 percent. The Federal Reserve has set an annual inflation rate of 2.00…
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