The real economy: Housing

New home sales increased just 0.2 percent in September, and a big increase for August was revised considerably downward. Despite the slow growth, September marked the highest level for new home sales in six years. 


Reuters - A record 57 million Americans, or 18 percent of the U.S. population, lived in households with two or more generations in 2012, with young adults leading the trend.The number of Americans living in multi-generational households has doubled since 1980. The figure spiked during the 2007-2009 recession and has moved higher since then, the analysis by the Pew Research Center said. "The increase in multi-generational living since 2010 is apparent across genders and among most racial and ethnic groups," the report said. About 24 percent of young adults, or those ages 25 to 34, lived in multiple generation households in 2012, more than double the percentage in 1980, the report said.

Foreclosed or 'short sale' properties have dropped below 10 percent of sales for the first time since the Great Recession. In 2009, more than 1 in 3 home sales were distressed.

Housing starts largest since 2006

Homelessness down from 2007

Mortgage delinquencies decline

Homes with indoor plumbing up from 55% in 1940s to 99% now


WALL STREET JOURNAL





There are approximately 20.2 million Americans that spend more than half of their incomes on housing. That represents a 46 percent increase from 2001.