WASHINGTON / AP U.S. homebuilders’ confidence held steady in April, reflecting an overall optimistic outlook in the market for new homes even as a gauge of current sales fell slightly. The National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo builder sentiment index released was unchanged at 58. It hasn’t budged in three months. Readings above 50 indicate more builders view sales ...

  WASHINGTON / AP A rising number of Americans are preparing to renovate their homes this year, a potential boost for the economy, according to projections released by Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies. The report estimates that spending on remodeling and repairs will climb 8.6 percent this year to $310 billion. The gains would bring renovations close to ...

  LOS ANGELES / AP Robert Leviton’s loudest neighbour is a 12-lane freeway. The busy stretch of highway that runs alongside his townhouse complex is visible from his north-facing windows. The drone of passing motorists is audible throughout. He can even hear a muffled version of it when his windows are shut. “I was a little bit worried about how ...