The trendlines continue to point to a steady, albeit slow, recovery of the housing industry. Builder confidence in the market for newly-built single-family homes hit a significant milestone in June, surging eight points to a reading of 52 on the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI). According to NAHB, any reading over 50 indicates that more builders view sales conditions as good than poor. “This is the first time the HMI has been above 50 since April 2006, and surpassing this important benchmark reflects the fact that builders are seeing better market conditions as demand for new homes increases,” said NAHB Chairman Rick Judson, a home builder and developer from Charlotte, N.C. “With the low inventory of existing homes, an increasing number of buyers are gravitating toward new homes.” On a more personal level, the fluctuating economic market has resulted in a shift in consumer perspectives. The larger population seems be aware of the financial commitments attached to home-ownership and realigns priorities in order to achieve the much longed-for independence. In recent years we have witnessed the emergence of trends like shared housing and rent-to-own homes that aim to somewhat appease the effects of the recession. Balancing entry-level pay with high cost of living and substantial debt is a major challenge which not many young adults are willing to take. Rather than struggling to make ends meet, college grads or adult children choose to move back with their parents, which can be a wise decision in the current context. Acting as a financial lifeline, this interim is an excellent opportunity for boomerang kids – as social scientists call them – to build a savings account, find stable jobs and start a family. This change in consumer attitudes has also led...