Go homes

Optimism is everywhere in Canada. Not that it's related to the Olympics -- maybe it's because spring is coming -- but even home builders, a group heavily hit in the downturn, are feeling better these days. The Canadian Home Builders' Association's Winter 2010

Pulse Survey, released this week, shows only 9% of respondents said consumer confidence is a problem; last year at this time, 54% said it was. In Ontario, though, 17% of builders said lack of confidence is still a factor. No region expected to see higher home starts this year than last. The biggest concern for builders (about 33% nationwide v. 66% in Ontario) is development charges and, for 35% of Ontario builders, the cost of serviced lots.

Renovators surveyed said they worry about losing jobs to under-the-table workers. While they expect increased work for 2010, 67% believe more than half of all small repair jobs are done in the underground economy.

(Source: National Post)