How can the income investor benefit from this trend?
Income investors need to take advantage of this trend by looking for a stock that pays a dividend and is a supplier of items that home builders and home buyers need. If our economy continues to limp along but is strong enough that folks buy new houses you, Mr./Ms income investor will benefit. More household mean more mattresses and stuff bought which leads to more earnings and future dividend increases. It is as simple as that.
The table below presents LEG's dividend machine fundamentals.
LEG was also cited by me as Dividend Machine in 2011 http://www.themoneymadam.com/2011/05/dividend-machine-leggett-platt-may-30.html
Consider this fine company your dividends and income portfolio.