U.S. homebuilder sentiment hits highest level since 2005

U.S. homebuilders’ confidence in the market for new homes is back up to levels not seen since the height of the housing boom a decade ago.

The National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo builder sentiment index released Thursday rose this month to 60, the highest level since November 2005.

The latest reading is unchanged from May, which was revised upward 1 point from 59. July’s reading is up from 53 a year ago. Readings above 50 indicate more builders view sales conditions as good, rather than poor.

Builders’ view of current sales conditions and their outlook for sales over the next six months also rose. A measure of traffic by prospective buyers fell slightly.

“As we head into the second half of 2015, we should expect a continued recovery of the housing market,” said Tom Woods, the NAHB’s chairman.

The builder survey follows a report last month showing sales of new homes accelerated in May to the strongest pace since February 2008 after a sluggish start to the year. Sales rose 2.2 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 546,000. All told, new home sales are up 24 percent through the first five months of this year. June home sales data are due out next week.

Strong job growth and relatively low mortgage rates have fueled the increase in sales. Borrowing costs are low by historical standards, though they have been rising in recent weeks.

Mortgage giant Freddie Mac said Thursday the average rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage increased to 4.09 percent from 4.04 percent a week earlier. The new level is the highest since October.

The big question is whether the heightened optimism will make builders willing to build more homes on “spec,” or before they’re sold. Builders typically invest in putting up more spec homes when they feel good about the likelihood that the homes will be snapped up sooner rather than later.