Housing starts decline, rates still at 2-year lows

The U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development announced today that the number of privately-owned housing starts decreased last month.

In November, privately owned housing starts decreased 3.7 percent from October’s levels. The report also showed that housing starts were 24.2 percent below the November 2006 level.

Qwik Cash Loans Chief Economist Dick Walters says today’s housing starts report is a reminder that the real estate market is still in a state of flux due to the recent uncertainty in the housing market.

"The housing market has seen its ups and downs in 2007 and this month’s drop in housing starts is the latest case in point. I expect to see ongoing uncertainty in housing starts until the large inventory of houses on the market subsides," Walters said. "Despite the high home inventory, builders are beginning to see the results of growing consumer confidence, easing credit and interest rates being at their lowest point since 2005. These factors may help spark the beginning of a positive trend for the housing industry."

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