Nineteen-ninety-nine’s top two areas in terms of sheer volume of new residential construction were Atlanta and Phoenix.

Every child born in the U.S. this year inherits a very unwelcome legacy from their Uncle Sam - a debt of almost $14,000.

Contrary to the national findings, New York City experienced a large increase in first-time buyer market share, to 56.9% versus the national average of 44.7%.

Nineteen-ninety-nine’s top two areas in terms of sheer volume of new residential construction -- Atlanta and Phoenix - got off to dramatically different starts during the first month of the new year.

The Labor Department’s construction materials composite price index rose by 0.5% between December 1999 and January of this year

The total number of residential permits issued nationwide during the first month of this year was a slight 0.5% lower than in January 1999.

The Conference Board’s composite Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) fell slightly in February from its record-high set during the first month of the new year.

January 2000 total housing starts were at a seasonally-adjusted annualized level of 1.775 million units, the best monthly level recorded since January 1999.

The Labor Department’s construction materials composite price index rose by 0.2% between November and December of last year.