Dane County housing starts continue to trend lower

Thanks to MTD Marketing Services of Wisconsin, we'll be providing regular updates on Dane County housing starts from this point forward. Check out this graph:

The 50 housing starts in July represent a low point over the last three-and-a-half years. Here's how the number of housing starts stack up for each of the last 4 Julys, dating back to 2005:

• July 2005: 177
• July 2006: 111
• July 2007: 86
• July 2008: 50

On a year-to-date basis, housing starts are down 41% from last year.

Where will housing starts be heading in the near future? Expect housing starts to remain soft, as builders wait for evidence that more buyers are entering the market.

For more information on Dane County housing starts, including a historical view dating back to the year 2000, visit the real estate trends page at DaneCountyMarket.com.