10% Amount that prices for “materials and components of construction” increased in 2004

3% The increase in 2003

0.8% The increase in 2002

Source: Department of Labor

9.3 months
Average length of time between the moment a homeowner begins “actively thinking” about selling their home and the close date

16.7 months
Average length of time consumers spend thinking about buying a home before actually making the purchase

Source: HouseValues.com

(Editor's note: Special thanks to Steve Joyce, www.buildingonline.com, for collecting this data in his electronic newsletter.)