Halting Housing
11/19/2013 | | Economic forecasting, Eisenberg and housing economics, Eisenberg and public speaking, Elliot eisenberg, Graphsandlaughs, MLS, Multiple listing service, Public speaking economist, econ70, economist on TV, economist on radio, eisenberg and economics, funniest economist, funny housing economist, graphsandlaughs and eisenberg, housing sales, mortgage banking, politics and economics
In Q3, investment in home improvements was $178 billion, while construction spending on new single family (SF) houses and townhouses was $172 billion, each about one percent of GDP. Similarly, in Q1 spending on home improvements was $161 billion, slightly above the $157 billion spent building new SF structures. Normally new SF construction spending is double spending on improvements! Worse, to date in 2013, new SF construction spending is flat.