The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) informs MHProNews their 55+single-family Housing Market Index (HMI) rose 19 points in the first quarter of 2013 to 46, the largest first quarter increase since the measurement began in 2008. Based on builders’ sentiments about the condition of the market for the coming six months, component numbers of the HMI all showed increase from a year ago : Present sales up 19 points to 46; anticipated sales for the next six months rose 21 points to 53; and prospective buyers increased 15 points to 41. Although any number below 50 means builders see the market conditions as poor rather than good, the marked turnaround from a year ago is a positive signal. “The strong year over year increase in confidence reported by builders for the 55+ market is consistent with year over year increases in other segments of the home building industry,” says NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe.
