Essential data on characteristics of new housing is now available from the U.S. Census Department. The government's annual report on this subject was released online June 1 and is available for downloading free of charge. The report supplies data on everything from number of bathrooms and bedrooms, to exterior wall material, foundation type, number of fireplaces, type of heating system, square feet of floor area, and much more pertaining to all homes and apartments built in 2005. Check out the following four sections:  PDF full Housing Report Characteristics of New One-Family Houses Completed
Characteristics of Units in New Multifamily Buildings Completed
Characteristics of New Multifamily Buildings Completed
Characteristics of New One-Family Houses Sold
Characteristics of Contractor-Built Houses Started
Historical data are also available. This is an excellent source of raw data that NAHB will analyze to evaluate upcoming and ongoing trends in home building. | 
