Economy: Page 103
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Builders turn optimistic in latest survey
The latest Builder Confidence Index climbed above 50 for the first time since January, though one component – buyer traffic – remains low.
By Ron Gallagher • July 20, 2014 -
Money for Corps work, GSA passes House, but Senate action nil
Contractors would perhaps benefit from an increase for the Corps over the presidential request, but GSA funding was lower than was asked.
By Ron Gallagher • July 20, 2014 -
There's more to June's bad home construction numbers than meets the eye
The sinking numbers were the result of one region and one class of housing.
By Ron Gallagher • July 18, 2014 -
June materials price report may spell more expensive second half
Materials overall were up 0.1% from May's prices, which is not huge but continues a change from 2013's relative stability.
By Ron Gallagher • July 17, 2014 -
Survey says 'missing' homebuyers are the middle-aged
Departing from the conventional explanation that the millennial generation is not buying homes, Trulia says the problem lies with 35- to 54-year-olds.
By Ron Gallagher • July 17, 2014 -
Roundable sees housing construction growth through 2017, but then what?
The economy is growing, builders and finance executives said at the annual PCBC conference on the housing industry.
By Ron Gallagher • July 16, 2014 -
Is the Canadian housing market climbing toward a fall?
Fitch becomes the latest agency to warn that Canada should slow borrowing for home buying.
By Ron Gallagher • July 14, 2014 -
Downtown Seattle construction surpasses pre-recession peak
The city's downtown booster group reports that 50 projects valued at $2.8 million were underway as of June and the same number had been permitted or are "ready to begin."
By Ron Gallagher • July 10, 2014 -
Lamar Construction shuts down contracting operations
Based in Hudsonville, Michigan, the company said its structural steel operation will go on, but general contracting in Michigan, Kentucky and Colorado is over.
By Ron Gallagher • July 9, 2014 -
Data: 41% of homebuyers prefer to build than buy
Trulia found that 41% of homebuyers would like to own a new home than buy an existing one and more than a third of the group are ready to be swayed if builders offer the right reasons.
By Ron Gallagher • July 9, 2014 -
Fotolia
Pension agency report supports worry about future of multi-employer plans
Multi-employer plans are important for union builders and contractors, but the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp. says it's out of resources to protect beneficiaries.
By Ron Gallagher • July 9, 2014 -
Report: Over 50% of mortgage bankers fear housing bubble
The survey done for a company that sells decision-management software, FICO, said bankers are worried, too.
By Ron Gallagher • July 8, 2014 -
Half of Case-Shiller duo: U.S. housing market is a 'crapshoot'
Karl Case, Wellesley College professor and half of the team that created the S&P/Case-Shiller index, says this recovery is out of sync.
By Ron Gallagher • July 7, 2014 -
Why the latest job growth is no help for U.S. housing market
While the number of jobs increased, full-time jobs actually fell.
By Ron Gallagher • July 6, 2014 -
Government construction jobs report for June not as rosy as ADP's
The federal jobs report listed 6,600 new construction hires last month, a day after payroll processor ADP said it counted 36,000.
By Ron Gallagher • July 6, 2014 -
Fotolia
ADP data shows June construction workforce largest since '09
Adding 36,000 workers brought total construction employment to about 6.1 million, the payroll-processing company reported as the month closed.
By Ron Gallagher • July 2, 2014 -
As Highway Trust Fund runs dry, DOT will stop daily payments to states
The Highway Trust Fund is rolling toward red ink and Congress has yet to add money, so the U.S. Department of Transportation is going from daily transfers to twice-a-month allocations.
By Ron Gallagher • July 1, 2014 -
Construction spending up a shade in May
When all was put together, total construction spending ion May was up 0.1% from April, with residential falling this time in an up-and-down pattern that may persist for the year.
By Ron Gallagher • July 1, 2014 -
Major change to credit-reporting could boost housing market
Two of the three credit-reporting agencies have said they will count verified rental-payment history, which may help first-time home buyers.
By Ron Gallagher • June 30, 2014 -
Reed forecasts 9.3% rise in total U.S. construction spending in 2014
Reed Construction Data predicts that despite the 2.9% economic contraction in the first quarter, total construction spending will rise.
By Ron Gallagher • June 26, 2014 -
Harvard housing report: U.S. housing market will follow, not lead, economic recovery
Missing first-time buyers remain a problem, the Joint Center for Housing Studies said in its 2014 report.
By Ron Gallagher • June 26, 2014 -
New home sales up 18% in May
Averaging out the year's monthly sales so far yields 445,000 sales a month – where the market was last November.
By Ron Gallagher • June 24, 2014 -
Is student debt to blame for drop in young homeowners?
Economists have opposing opinions on whether there is a connection between rising student loan debt and falling ownership.
By Ron Gallagher • June 24, 2014 -
FMI is on cautious side of 'cautious optimism' in latest forecast
The investment banking and data firm is paring back its forecast for residential construction this year.
By Ron Gallagher • June 23, 2014 -
Blighted Detroit properties are selling online
The city's effort to sell houses it has seized has brought transactions on 60 homes for $1.2 million.
By Ron Gallagher • June 22, 2014
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