CNNMoney says the Census Bureau reports new home construction rose 12 percent Dec. 2012 over Nov. 2012 to a seasonally-adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of 954,000, well beyond the 889,000 expected by economists at Briefing.com, and almost 37 percent higher than Dec. 2011. While applications for building permits in Dec. changed little from Nov., Dec.’s 905,000 was 28.8 percent above the rate in Dec. 2011. As MHProNews learned, last month home prices notched the largest percentage rise in two years.

(Photo credit: Fotosearch)