Housing price data from the S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices for September 2012 showed that existing-home prices continued to rise in the third quarter of 2012. The national composite was up 3.6% versus the third quarter of 2011, and increased 2.2% versus the second quarter of 2012.

According to a report from the National Association of Realtors, existing home sales in the U.S. rose 2.1% in October. 

Existing home sales grew to seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.79 million units, according to a report issued Monday morning by the National Association of Realtors. 

The figure is up 2.1% from September’s rate, and up 10.9% from the 4.32 million level in October 2011.

Advance estimates of U.S. retail and food services sales for October were $411.6 billion, down 0.3% from the previous month, but up 3.8% compared with the same month last year. 

The figures, released Wednesday morning, are adjusted for seasonal variation and holiday and trading-day differences, but not for price changes. 

U.S. demand for decking is forecast to rise 2.4% annually, according to a study by the Freedonia Group, a Cleveland-based industry market research firm.

The number of U.S. housing markets showing consistent improvement in three key measures of strength expanded by 22 in November to a total of 125, according to the National Association of Home Builders/First American Improving Markets Index (IMI). This marks a third consecutive monthly gain for the index, which now includes representatives from across 38 states, as well as the District of Columbia.

The Remodeling Market Index (RMI) rose to 50 in the third quarter of 2012, up from 45 in the previous quarter, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). The RMI is at its highest point since the third quarter of 2005.

The RMI component measuring current market conditions rose to 52 from 46 in the previous quarter, while the component measuring future indicators increased to 49 from 44.

September existing-home sales declined modestly, according to the National Association of Realtors. Inventory continued to tighten and the national median home price recorded its seventh back-to-back monthly increase from a year earlier.  

Total existing-home sales fell 1.7% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.75 million in September from an upwardly revised 4.83 million in August, but are 11.0% above the 4.28 million-unit pace in September 2011.

The majority of consumers intend to spend the same (67%) this holiday season than last year, and 10% plan to spend more while fewer that say they plan to spend less, according to the NPD Group’s 11th Annual Holiday Survey.

A report released Monday by the Commerce Department showed that retail sales in the U.S. climbed more than anticipated in September, boosted by unexpected increases in household spending.

Sales advanced 1.1% in September, on the heels on a 1.2% increase in August that was the biggest since October 2010. The median forecast of 77 economists surveyed by Bloomberg called for a 0.8% rise in September.

A just-released report by CoreLogic, an information and analytics provider, indicates that U.S. foreclosure inventory is at its lowest level since April 2010. But five states still account for almost 50% of all completed foreclosures nationally.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics' tally for September shows non-farm payroll rose by 114,000, as the official unemployment rate fell from 8.1% to 7.8%.

The 7.8% unemployment rate is the lowest since January 2009.

The Home Improvement Research Institute will set up shop in Chicago Oct. 17 for a series of research-related presentations. 

To be held at the Holiday Inn Chicago Mart Plaza, the event will kick off with an effort to read the future by J. Walker Smith, executive chairman of The Futures Company.