NAHB Index up 4 Points

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) says builder confidence in the new single-family home market is improving. The NAHB Index rose four points to a reading of 58 in December. The reading has been above 50 for seven months and is up 11 points year-over-year.

“The recent spike in mortgage interest rates has not deterred consumers as rates are still near historically low levels,” said NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe. “Following a two-month pause in the index, this uptick is due in part to release of the pent-up demand caused by the uncertainty generated by the October government shutdown. We continue to look for a gradual improvement in the housing recovery in the year ahead.”