HUD has published its latest U.S. Housing Market Conditions report, which provides an overview of both fourth quarter and annual 2010 housing market conditions. The annual analysis indicates that, in both the single-family and multifamily sectors, permits and starts increased, although completions declined. Shipments of manufactured homes increased 0.4 percent in 2010, the first increase in annual shipments since 2005. The marketing sector performed less well, with both new and existing home sales declining. The median price of new homes sold rose during 2010, while remaining steady for existing homes sold. Housing affordability improved during the year, although homeownership rates for the nation and for most groups declined. The housing sector component of GDP (residential fixed investment) declined in 2010, but by a much slower rate than in 2009.
See the report for the analysis of data for the fourth quarter of 2010, profiles of economic and housing market activity in each of HUD’s 10 regions, historical trends in national and regional housing markets, and a feature article titled “What Do We Know About Single-Family Rental Properties?” that is based on 2009 American Housing Survey data.
