Housing starts jump - 2004-01-22
Boosted by a potent blend of cheap mortgage rates, easy credit and optimism, housing starts last month exploded to their speediest pace in two decades.

Leading the way, and surprising the experts, was construction of multifamily homes -- condominiums, apartments, townhouses -- a sector that has been sagging for several years.
Read the full story at Atlanta Journal And Constitution

Housing starts are still healthy - 2004-01-22
Builders broke ground for new housing last month at the quickest rate in almost two decades.
The annualized rate of 2.1 million units made December the strongest month for housing starts in 19 years, the Census Bureau said.

Wednesday's report is the latest indicator of how remarkable the housing market was in 2003. Propelled by mortgage rates below 6% and high consumer demand, sales volume records were set for both new and resold homes.
Read the full story at USA Today