Permits to build new American housing units hit their highest level since June 2008, according to fresh data issued by the US Department of Commerce. Housing permits jumped 4.6% to an annual pace of 946,000. Housing starts also rose, but in line with expectations, increasing 0.8%, to 917,000.
But this is just the latest bit of confirmation that the US housing market is recovering. Check out growth in US construction jobs, posting their best monthly growth numbers in years:
And here’s another good one. Lumber prices hitting their highest level in years, too:
At this point, if you don’t believe the housing recovery is for real, you’re just not paying attention.