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Friday, December 16, 2016

November 2016 Residential Permits, Starts and Completions

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Builders started construction of privately-owned housing units in November at a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of 1.090 million (1.230 million expected). This is 18.7 percent (±6.7%) below the revised October estimate of 1.340 million (originally 1.323 million). The multi-family segment led the decrease: -215,000 units (-45.1%), to 262,000 units. Single-family housing starts declined less dramatically, by 35,000, to 828,000 units; that was 4.1 percent (±7.5%)* below the revised October figure of 863,000.
* 90% confidence interval (CI) is not statistically different from zero. The Census Bureau does not publish CIs for the entire multi-unit category. 
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November’s total SAAR was 6.9 percent (±7.3%)* below the November 2015 SAAR of 1.171 million units; the not-seasonally adjusted YoY change (shown in the table above) was -7.9%. Single-family starts were 6.5% higher YoY, but the multi-family component was 32.8% lower. 
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Total housing completions in November rose by 162,000 units, or 15.4 percent (±13.5%), to a SAAR of 1.216 million. That was 25.0 percent (±15.0%) above the November 2015 SAAR of 973,000; the NSA comparison: +24.2% YoY.
Single-family housing completions advanced by 25,000 units, to a SAAR of 774,000; that is 3.3 percent (±8.3%)* above the revised October rate of 749,000 -- and +22.6% YoY. Multi-family completions rose by 137,000 units (+44.9% MoM, and +27.6% YoY). 
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Total permits fell by 59,000 units, or 4.7 percent (±1.1%), to a SAAR of 1.201 million (1.240 million expected). That was 6.6 percent (±2.6%) below the November 2015 SAAR of 1.286 million; the non-seasonally adjusted YoY comparison was -0.9%.
Single-family authorizations edged up by 4,000 units, or 0.5 percent (±1.4%)*, to a SAAR of 778,000 units; multi-family permits fell by 63,000 units (-13.0%), to 423,000. Single-family permits were 11.6% higher YoY; multi-family: -16.1%. 
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Builder confidence in the market for newly built, single-family homes in December jumped seven points, to a level of 70, on the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI).
“This notable rise in builder sentiment is largely attributable to a post-election bounce, as builders are hopeful that President-elect Trump will follow through on his pledge to cut burdensome regulations that are harming small businesses and housing affordability,” said NAHB Chairman Ed Brady.  “This is particularly important, given that a recent NAHB study shows that regulatory costs for home building have increased 29% in the past five years.” 
“Though this significant increase in builder confidence could be considered an outlier, the fact remains that the economic fundamentals continue to look good for housing,” said NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz. “The rise in the HMI is consistent with recent gains for the stock market and consumer confidence. At the same time, builders remain sensitive to rising mortgage rates and continue to deal with shortages of lots and labor.”
The foregoing comments represent the general economic views and analysis of Delphi Advisors, and are provided solely for the purpose of information, instruction and discourse. They do not constitute a solicitation or recommendation regarding any investment.

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