Builder confidence climbed two points to 18 in September, the first increase in seven months, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). NAHB attributes the increase to recently enacted federal tax credits for homebuyers and lower mortgage rates in the wake of the takeover of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
"Builders have several reasons to be more optimistic at this time," said NAHB President Sandy Dunn. "Many are sensing that home sales are nearing a turning point with the support of the newly enacted first-time home buyer tax credit. Meanwhile, with the government's explicit backing of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac now assured, this should help keep mortgage rates at very favorable levels going forward."
