Bloomberg – “Treasuries Little Changed as Housing Starts Unexpectedly Fall” (8-18-09)

“Treasuries were little changed as a government report showed U.S. housing starts unexpectedly fell in July, indicating tighter credit and job losses will temper the recovery. Ten-year note yields remained near the lowest levels in almost four weeks as producer prices fell 0.9 percent in July, more than forecast, capping the biggest 12-month drop on record. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 0.5 percent after dropping 2.4 percent yesterday.”

Bloomberg – “Home Depot Profit Falls Less Than Analysts Estimated” (8-18-09)

“Home Depot Inc., the largest home- improvement retailer, reported second-quarter profit that fell less than analysts estimated and increased its full-year earnings forecast after reducing operating expenses. Net income dropped 7.2 percent to $1.12 billion, or 66 cents a share, from $1.2 billion, or 71 cents, a year earlier, the Atlanta-based company said today in a statement. Excluding costs to close the company’s Expo business and a tax gain, earnings were about 64 cents a share. Analysts predicted 59 cents, the average of estimates compiled by Bloomberg.”

Bloomberg – “Housing Starts in U.S. Fell on Multi-Family Units” (8-18-09)

“Housing starts in the U.S. unexpectedly fell in July, pulled down by multifamily dwellings, while single-family starts which make up most of the industry rose to the highest level since October. The 1 percent decline in starts to an annual rate of 581,000 was the first drop in three months and followed a 587,000 rate in June, the Commerce Department said today in Washington. Construction of single-family houses, which account for 75 percent of the industry, rose 1.7 percent to a 490,000 rate, today’s report showed.”

Bloomberg – “James Hardie Shares Surge as U.S. Housing Slump Eases” (8-18-09)

“The shares surged 22 percent after Chief Executive Officer Louis Gries said full-year operating profit will be at the top end of analysts’ estimates of $39 million to $67 million and that the U.S. residential construction market appears to be 'nearing the bottom.' The company today reported a first- quarter loss of $77.9 million.”

Orange County Register – “Hottest O.C. housing is in Seal Beach” (8-18-09)

“This Seal Beach ZIP ranked by Zippy was 5th of 83 for pricing; #21 for sales; and #3 in terms of foreclosures frequency in the community. In the previous quarter, this ZIP ranked 9 of 83 overall.”

Inman – “'Green' is low real estate priority” (8-18-09)

“Most respondents in a survey of Better Homes and Gardens magazine readers said they most value ample storage space (74 percent) and closet space (74 percent) as very important in house hunting, while just 22 percent said they rate ‘eco-friendly’ features as very important”

Inman – “Walkable neighborhoods also bankable” (8-18-09)

“Homes in neighborhoods where goods, services and fun things to do are located within walking distance can command a price premium of $4,000 to $34,000 over otherwise similar homes in less walkable areas, according to an analysis of recent home sales.”

Inman – “Zillow poll shows homeowner optimism” (8-18-09)

“Most homeowners think their home has lost value in the last year, but four out of five don't expect their property to be worth less six months from now -- the most optimism consumers have expressed about the future in a year of polls conducted by home valuation and listing site Zillow. Looking back, Zillow's Homeowner Confidence Survey suggests many are unrealistic about their own property's immunity to the housing downturn. Only about 60 percent of homeowners surveyed from April through June believed their properties had lost value in the last 12 months, while Zillow estimated that 83 percent of homes were worth less.”