Mortgage rates inched lower this week, following the Federal Reserve’s recent announcement that it would delay tapering its bond buying program. Mortgage rates have climbed more than one percentage point since May when speculation began that the Fed would start … Continue reading
Yearly Archives: 2013
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released the Producer Price Indexes (PPI) for August. Producer prices for finished goods rose 0.3% in August driven by increases in food (0.6%) and energy (0.8%) prices. Excluding food and energy, the core index … Continue reading
A coalition of construction industry groups is concerned about a proposed rule from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) that’s intended to protect workers from inhaling dust containing silica, created by activities such as cutting brick or block, and … Continue reading
Fiberlite Technologies does not recommend the use of an interior vapor barrier with our wall cavity spray products. A vapor barrier will greatly inhibit the air movement within the cavity space which in turn regulates the temperature within the cavity. … Continue reading
According to the National Association of Realtors®, existing-home sales rose strongly in July. Total existing-home sales, which are completed transactions that include single-family homes, townhouses, condominiums and co-ops, increased 6.5 percent. Lawrence Yun, National Association of Realtors (NAR) chief economist, … Continue reading
Energy efficient home features are becoming nearly standard practice among some homebuilders nowadays. Many builders see this as a way to compete against existing homes, boasting it as a way for homeowners to save money on utility bills. National Association … Continue reading
Americans overwhelmingly believe owning a home is a good financial decision and a majority of renters say homeownership is one of their highest priorities for the future. Renters are thinking more about purchasing a home now than in past years, … Continue reading
July 23, 2013-The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) is reporting sales of newly built, single-family homes surged 8.3 percent to a seasonally adjusted, annual rate of 497,000 units in June. This is the fastest pace in the last five … Continue reading
Representatives on the House Financial Services Committee announced the Protecting American Taxpayers and Homeowners (PATH) Act to create a sustainable housing finance system. The proposal ends the taxpayer-funded bailout of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac while phasing out the enterprises … Continue reading
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced a new National Emphasis Program to protect workers from serious health effects from occupational exposure to isocyanates. Isocyanates are compounds containing the isocyanate group (NCO). They react with compounds containing alcohol (hydroxyl) groups … Continue reading