Census Bureau

The U.S. homeowner vacancy rate dropped to 1.5% in the first quarter, a sign that houses aren’t going to waste amid a residential supply crunch.

New-home sales increased in March to a four-month high, mainly reflecting a surge in the West along with upward revisions to prior months that showed stronger first-quarter demand than previously estimated.

Here's a look at 12 housing markets where healthy rents, high home prices and historically low mortgage rates have prompted a boom in single-family rental inventory.

New-home construction cooled by more than expected in February on a reversal in the volatile multifamily category, while building remained on pace to contribute to economic growth this quarter.

The Hispanic homeownership rate grew for the third straight year in 2017 and the number of homeowners in the demographic group is at an all-time high, despite ongoing concerns about immigration policy and the shortage of homes for sale.

Sales of new homes unexpectedly fell in January to the lowest level since August as borrowing costs rose and winter weather depressed demand.

Purchases of new homes declined more than projected last month and were revised down in the prior period, showing the market returned to a less exuberant pace as the year drew to a close.

Purchases of new homes unexpectedly surged in November to the highest level since before the last recession, indicating resilient demand, according to government data.

Purchases of new homes unexpectedly advanced in broad fashion last month, reaching the strongest pace in a decade and offering an encouraging signal for residential construction.

Rents have increased rapidly across housing markets as the share of renting households has risen faster than the number of new units.