Home Dis-Improvement

Harvard University researchers say the weak economy is hurting the home improvement business.

WBUR's Curt Nickisch reports.

TEXT OF STORY:

NICKISCH: More and more Americans are deciding against remodeling the kitchen, finishing the basement or just the new paint job. By early next year they'll spend eleven percent less on home improvement projects than they do now, according to Harvard's Joint Center for Housing Studies.

Kermit Baker compiled the numbers and says no one feels like putting money into a place when the value keeps going down:

BAKER: No end in sight at present in terms of when this market's gonna turn around and start to see growth again.

NICKISCH: Baker says the forecast is not as bad in New England as it is in California, Florida and the Southwest.