Housing Starts
Returns the number of new privately-owned housing units started (where construction has begun) in thousands of units at a seasonally adjusted annual rate.
Data Details
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Source | Census Bureau / FRED |
| Frequency | Monthly |
| Unit | Thousands of units (SAAR) |
| Coverage | Single-family and multi-family |
Notes
- A leading indicator of economic activity
- Includes both single-family homes and multi-family buildings
- Expressed as a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR)
Examples
Current housing starts (SAAR)
=HousingStarts()*1000=HousingStarts()/12When to Use
- Tracking residential construction activity
- Analyzing housing market health
- Economic forecasting (leading indicator)
- Construction sector analysis
When NOT to Use
| Scenario | Use Instead |
|---|---|
| Need building permits | BuildingPermits() |
| Need house prices | HousePriceIndex() |
| Need mortgage rates | MortgageRate30y() |
Common Issues & FAQ
Q: What unit is the result in? A: Thousands of housing units at a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR).
Q: What does SAAR mean? A: Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate - the current monthly pace expressed as if it continued for a year.
Q: How is this different from building permits? A: Housing starts measure actual construction beginning; permits measure approvals to build.
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