Remodelers are expected to slow down a little

The latest opinion is that, like everything else in housing, remodeling is going to slow down markedly.

That's from the Harvard University Joint Center for Housing Studies, which this month introduced a new index of remodeling activity nationwide.

The Harvard group foresees "very modest growth" in homeowner spending for remodeling through the year, unless a spike in energy prices inspires homeowners to make conservation-related improvements.

The group still sees Americans increasing their remodeling spending by 3.6% this year compared with 2006.