The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) have forged an agreement that makes it easier for individuals who hold builder and remodeler professional designations to take advantage of continuing education opportunities from both groups.

Multi-family housing starts declined 24.1% to 277,000 units in January, putting at least a momentary damper on the recovery of the new housing market.

A high turnout at the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) International Builders’ Show (IBS), lower mortgage rates, increase in house plan sales and a 20 percent increase in new home construction expected for 2013 are fueling a rebound for the housing industry.

Residential housing starts were up 28.1% percent in 2012, making it one of the best years since the housing crisis began, according to figures released Jan. 17 by the U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The number of metro areas showing signs of improved housing continues to grow, rising for a fifth consecutive month to 242 markets, according to the NAHB.

In the latest sign of a burgeoning recovery in U.S. housing markets, the number of metropolitan areas on the National Association of Home Builders/First American Improving Markets Index (IMI) rose for a fifth consecutive month to 242 in January.

Upward trends in recent months among a number of housing indicators point to a slow and steady growth in the nation's housing market in 2013, but several challenges remain, according to the latest economic and housing forecast by David Crowe, chief economist for the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).

Builder confidence in the market for newly built, single-family homes rose for an eighth consecutive month in December to a level of 47 on the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI), released today.

The Multifamily Production Index (MPI), released by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) today, remained steady with an index level of 52. It is the third straight quarter with a reading over 50.

The number of housing markets considered "improving" according to parameters established by the National Association of Home Builders/First American Improving Markets Index (IMI) surged by 76 to a total of 201 metros in December, according to IMI data released today.