The U.S. economy is expanding, fueled by a renewed consumer optimism and increased consumer spending.

321,000 new homes were sold last month on a seasonally-adjusted, annualized basis. 7 of 10 new homes sold for less than $300,000.

The 2012 housing market started like 2011 ended -- strong.

The national, average commute time is just 25.1 minutes. How long is yours?

According to the Census Bureau, the number of new homes sold in December 2011 slipped 2 percent to 307,000 units on a seasonally-adjusted, annualized basis nationwide.

According to the Census Bureau, the number of new homes sold rose 2 percent in November, taking the metric to a 7-month high.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Single-Family Housing Starts rose to 447,000 units on a seasonally-adjusted, annualized basis in November -- a 2 percent increase from October.

Another day, another signal that the market for newly-built homes is improving. Single-Family Housing Starts rose to a seasonally-adjusted, annualized 430,000 units in October -- a 4 percent increase from September and the highest reading in 3 months.

Wednesday, the Census Bureau released its September Housing Starts report. In it, the government said that national Housing Starts rose 15 percent in September as compared to August 2011, tallying 658,000 units on a seasonally-adjusted annualized basis.

The American Consumer is alive and well, it seems. Retail Sales are up 14 months in a row.

According to the Census Bureau, the number of new homes sold slid for the fourth straight month in August, easing 2 percent from July. On a seasonally-adjusted, annualized basis, home buyers bought 295,000 newly-built homes last month.

Single-Family Housing Starts fell for the second consecutive month, dropping to a seasonally-adjusted, annualized 417,000 units in August 2011.