Bankate.com
 
News and AdviceCompare RatesCalculators
Glossary  |  Help  
 
 
- advertisement -
 
 
Housing Starts (thousands)

Key economic statistics Updated 11/19/2008
This week Month ago Year ago
 Housing Starts (thousands) 544 544 963

- advertisement -

What it means: The number of new single-family homes (in thousands) on which construction has commenced.

How it's used: The strength of the economy, and the housing market in particular, is often pegged to the level of housing starts. After all, if consumers are confident enough about their prospects to have a new home built, that must be a good economic indicator. This is also a barometer for the housing market, which is a leading indicator for mortgage activity and spending on household items. Back to key economic statistics page

 

 
 
 RESOURCES
Safe & Sound bank ratings
Sign up for free rate alerts
Fed Outlook: Blogging the Federal Reserve
 TOP STORIES
Video: No-closing-cost mortgages
Interest Rate Roundup
Rate Trend Index -- Mortgages
 


Mortgages
Compare today's rates
NATIONAL OVERNIGHT AVERAGES
30 yr fixed mtg 6.05%
15 yr fixed mtg 5.70%
5/1 ARM 5.89%
Rates may include points
ADVERTISING PARTNERS
- advertisement -
 
- advertisement -


News & Advice | Compare Rates | Calculators
Mortgage | Home Equity | Auto | Investing | Checking & Savings | Credit Cards | Debt Management | College Finance | Taxes | Personal Finance
About Bankrate | Privacy | Online Media Kit | Partnerships | Investor Relations | Press/Broadcast | Contact Us | Sitemap
NASDAQ: RATE | RSS Feeds | Order Rate Data | Bankrate Canada | Bankrate China

* Mortgage rate may include points. See rate tables for details. Click here.
* To see the definition of overnight averages click here.

Bankrate.com ®, Copyright © 2008 Bankrate, Inc., All Rights Reserved, Terms of Use.