The numbers are out for the month of June for single-family new home construction starts! I know you have all been eagerly awaiting these numbers. Well gather yourself for just a minute, because NOTHING CHANGED! Single-family housing starts in June were practically unchanged from the previous month at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 454,000 units, according to the most recent reports by the U.S. Commerce Department.
There was a decline however, but it occurred for multi-family construction starts. Multi-family structures, such as duplexes, tri-plexes, and four-plexes, fell 21.5% from May numbers, albeit that market is more volatile and irregular. The drastic drop in multi-family numbers effected the overall housing production number, which fell 5% to a 549,000-unit rate.
On the more personal front, my wife forced me into manual labor constructing a crib and bayonet. That is one more crib than I've ever built, so I suppose that means that new crib starts rose 100%! Of course, as a man I will never understand why it is so important for me to stop my important business where time is of the essence to put together a bed for a baby who is about 3 months away from sleeping in it. It brings her immense comfort to see the baby room and have it all set. Crib, changing table, pictures, paper lamps (he's half-Asian!), nursing chair, and diaper basket. The last one brings tears to my eyes.
My life is about to take on a new set of experiences. They will in turn make me a more rounded man. I will possess a new set of skills, like a Navy SEAL. They time themselves cleaning and putting their gun together. I'll time myself cleaning a breast pump and arming it for flawless use. You can't have it catch during battle. That's the difference between life and death.
I know it's a "bassinet" and not a "bayonet" by the way. I know that was bothering most of you; it was a test. I know my child will sleep in a comfortable, rocking bed and not a sharp, stabbing blade made for war.