Remodeling dips in June
WASHINGTON -- The remodeling market slid backward during the second quarter, according to the latest National Association of Home Builders' (NAHB) Remodeling Market Index (RMI).

According to NAHB, the RMI (combining current and future market indicators) sunk to 40.7 from 47.9 in the first quarter. Current market conditions slid back to 42.6 from 44.5 in the previous quarter. Future indicators of remodeling business declined to 38.9 from 43.1 in the last quarter. 

Any number below 50 indicates that more remodelers say market conditions are getting worse than report improving conditions. The RMI has been running below 50 since the final quarter of 2005 and during the last quarter approached break even again.

"Remodelers are suffering from weak consumer confidence and constricted credit lines," said NAHB Remodelers Chairman Donna Shirey, CGR, CAPS, CGP, a remodeler from Issaquah, WA. "Homeowners are delaying remodeling projects because of economic uncertainty."

The current conditions indices for the remodeling market worsened in two regions: Northeast 41.4 (from 46.6 in the first quarter); and South 42.4 (from 44.1). However, current remodeling indices improved in the Midwest 44.7 (from 43.8) and the West 42.0 (from 34.8). Major additions fell to 44.2 (from 48.0), as did minor additions to 45.8 (from 47.3).

Read NAHB's press release.

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