The Bad News For The Housing Market Continues

Home builders index for October sank to lowest level ever in the 23 years the survey has been completed. Text in bold is my emphasis. From CNNMoney.com:

The National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index showed the overall confidence measure sank to 18, the worst reading on record for the 23-year old monthly survey.

The trade group's statement said the problems included decreased availability of subprime mortgages, a glut of new homes available for sale and reports about declining home values.
The builders' expectations for the market six months from now came in with a reading of 26, matching the lowest reading on record that was set in September. And their view of current buyers' traffic fell to a record low reading of 15.

The overall confidence reading reflects the eighth straight month in which that measure has declined. It has fallen sharply, and is down from a very strong reading of 74 only two years ago. A reading of 50 in any of the three measures indicates the number of positive responses from builders is equal to the number of negative responses.