Things are looking up, from the consumers' point of view, optimism rising on the jobs front and in business expectations, according to the Conference Board Consumer Conference Index. Confident consumers are more likely to spend on home improvements and furniture. And the sense of improved job security is a key factor in driving home sales.

The Conference Board's consumer confidence index jumped to 81.4 in June, the best reading since January 2008 and up from 74.3 in May.