Twin Cities home construction rebound continues

Home builders started construction of 1,344 new homes in the Twin Cities during the fourth quarter of 2012, the highest fourth-quarter pace since 2007.

Read more in Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal.

Why (almost) nothing seems to be getting done in Minneapolis

“Stop” may be Minneapolis’ secret mantra. A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about why a prize piece of land across from Lake Calhoun continues to sit empty after seven years of attempts to redevelop it. But that's hardly the only example of rampant stoppage.

Read more in MinnPost.

Homebuilder confidence hits 5-year high

Confidence among U.S. homebuilders jumped more than forecast in May, reaching a five-year high that signals an improving outlook for construction. The National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo index of builder confidence rose to 29, the highest since May 2007, a report from the Washington-based group showed Tuesday. The gauge exceeded the highest projection in a Bloomberg News survey in which the median estimate was 26. Readings below 50 mean more respondents said conditions were poor.


Read more at Crains New York.

More expensive homes with new building code?

Proposed changes to Minnesota's building code that are meant to make houses safer and more energy-efficient have roused the ire of some local builders, who say the guidelines could significantly jack up prices of new homes. At issue are a handful of energy upgrades that would require builders to increase the amount of insulation to basement walls and add fire sprinklers to every new house.

Read more in the Minneapolis Star Tribune.