Economy: Page 101


  • Realtors' economist says housing market can survive interest rate hike

    Pent-up demand, consumer confidence, and a growing job market can offset the increase, he predicted.

    By Sharon O'Malley • Nov. 19, 2014
  • Single-family starts up in October, while multifamily construction slumps

    Combined housing starts declined by 2.8%, but permits jumped 4.8%.

    By Sharon O'Malley • Nov. 19, 2014
  • Trendline

    Top 5 stories from Construction Dive

    Construction Dive editors curate some of the industry’s top stories from this year.

    By Construction Dive staff
  • Visa deal could prompt more Chinese to buy homes in U.S.

    Longer stays mean the children of foreign nationals can be educated here.

    By Sharon O'Malley • Nov. 18, 2014
  • Arizona builder offers to pay first year's mortgage to new buyers

    A severe sales slump in the Phoenix area is forcing homebuilders to offer generous incentives.

    By Sharon O'Malley • Nov. 18, 2014
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    NAHB economist explains sluggish housing recovery

    In a BUILDER article, David Crowe predicted better news for 2015.

    By Sharon O'Malley • Nov. 18, 2014
  • Homebuilder confidence reaches 9-year high

    That optimism contributed to a Wall Street rally on Tuesday.

    By Sharon O'Malley • Nov. 18, 2014
  • 5 things to know about the future of housing

    Realtor.com’s chief economist weighs in on home prices and the availability of credit.

    By Sharon O'Malley • Nov. 18, 2014
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    Missed mortgage payments decline as economy improves

    A lower delinquency rate could signal progress in the housing recovery.

    By Sharon O'Malley • Nov. 18, 2014
  • Foreclosure filings show biggest increase in 4 years

    Some of the spike is normal for October, as banks prepare to ease up for the holidays.

    By Sharon O'Malley • Nov. 18, 2014
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    Montgomery County Planning Commission
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    Institutional construction sees first growth in 6 years

    Building of K-12 schools pulls the sector out of a long slump.

    By Sharon O'Malley • Nov. 17, 2014
  • Construction of Keystone XL pipeline to create thousands of jobs

    As the U.S. Senate prepares to vote, agencies disagree about the number of positions at stake.

    By Sharon O'Malley • Nov. 17, 2014
  • Mortgage applications for new homes rise 8%

    More buyers want higher-priced homes than entry-level abodes.

    By Sharon O'Malley • Nov. 17, 2014
  • It's getting harder for middle-income buyers to afford new homes

    Still, economists say low interest rates and strong job growth make this a good time to buy.

    By Sharon O'Malley • Nov. 17, 2014
  • Growth of remodeling industry remains slow

    Analysts predict a spike by the end of 2015.

    By Sharon O'Malley • Nov. 14, 2014
  • Pent-up desire for homeownership will 'uncoil' as more millennials marry

    Young adults who delay nuptials also put off buying homes, analysis shows.

    By Sharon O'Malley • Nov. 14, 2014
  • Fewer homebuyers are paying cash

    The percentage who buy homes outright remains 12% below a 2011 peak.

    By Sharon O'Malley • Nov. 14, 2014
  • As rents rise, demand for remodeling dips

    When home values spike, however, remodelers get busy.

    By Sharon O'Malley • Nov. 14, 2014
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    Construction industry creates 12,000 jobs, sees unemployment dip to 8-year low

    The gains could be lost to a shortage of skilled laborers and professionals seeking work in the field.

    By Sharon O'Malley • Nov. 14, 2014
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    Demolition work slows again after a busy 2013

    Competition for jobs is fierce as more contractors enter the specialty.

    By Sharon O'Malley • Nov. 13, 2014
  • Full housing recovery could take 3 to 5 more years

    “We’ve reached a point in the recovery where the only real cure-all is time," economist said.

    By Sharon O'Malley • Nov. 13, 2014
  • Home values continue to increase nationwide

    Homeowners, however, believe their homes are worth less than appraisers say.

    By Sharon O'Malley • Nov. 13, 2014
  • Demand for housing worldwide to grow 3.2% by 2018

    Global forecast points to growth in multifamily housing and larger homes.

    By Sharon O'Malley • Nov. 12, 2014
  • Homebuilder creates bridal registry for new home down payments

    Using social media, Keystone Custom Home is becoming a brand young adults recognize.

    By Sharon O'Malley • Nov. 12, 2014
  • Houston is biggest U.S. boom town, thanks to its oil industry

    Metro New York and Dallas are Nos. 2 and 3 on Forbes’ list of cities with the most construction in 2014.

    By Sharon O'Malley • Nov. 11, 2014
  • Homebuilder stocks rise during good week on Wall Street

    Big builders Toll Brothers and D.R. Horton are reporting impressive third-quarter numbers.

    By Sharon O'Malley • Nov. 11, 2014