Economy: Page 129
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Leasing and finance industry expects good 2013 for construction equipment business
The overall outlook for leasing or financing purchases of equipment is muted, but the companies that provide those services see a 15% climb for construction.
By Ron Gallagher • Dec. 19, 2012 -
Monthly builder confidence index moves closer to majority optimism
The December report from the National Association of Home Builders puts the mark at 47, with 50 being the tipping point.
By Ron Gallagher • Dec. 19, 2012 -
U.K. builders' woes contrast starkly with growing confidence in U.S. home market
Any American home builders who think things are still glum here should look across the Atlantic and give thanks.
By Ron Gallagher • Dec. 18, 2012 -
Latest index of demand for architects' services bodes well for 2013
In October, the most recent count, the often-watched Architectural Billings Index rose more than it has sin ce December 2010.
By Ron Gallagher • Dec. 18, 2012 -
Lender sees opportunity in filling Ariz. home builders' needs
It's hard to participate in the housing recovery without construction financing, and Sabal Financial Group LP sees profits in providing it.
By Ron Gallagher • Dec. 17, 2012 -
After 50 Years, Preservation Group Graduates from Tenant to Owner at Colonial Schoolhouse
by Adriana Pop, Associate Editor After leasing the Brick School House from the city of Providence for a half-century, the Providence Preservation Society is graduating from the historic building’s long-time tenant to its new owner. The organization is acquiring the Brick [...]
By Ron Gallagher • Dec. 16, 2012 -
One economist's picks for the 10 best housing markets in the new year
The chief economist of real estate data service Trulia is not including places with big price increases this year if fundamentals do not cut it.
By Ron Gallagher • Dec. 13, 2012 -
Global economy pushes materials prices down 1.1% in November
Overall, prices for construction materials went down because of global economic worries that have inhibited demand, Associated Builders and Contractors reports.
By Ron Gallagher • Dec. 13, 2012 -
Deep Dive
Most Read Construction News of the Week: 'Cliff' predictions, bricks and an Indian record
We're back with the most frequented Construction Dive posts of the past week. Get caught up!
By Brian Warmoth • Dec. 13, 2012 -
Building code changes in D.C. aim for 30% cut in energy use
Changes being proposed would apply to commercial buildings over 10,000 square feet that are new or substantially renovated and multifamily buildings over three stories.
By Ron Gallagher • Dec. 13, 2012 -
Research does not make the mortgage interest deduction look democratic
The numbers indicate that 75% of the dollars for the deduction, which has been mentioned in tax-reform discussions, go to the top 20% of homeowners.
By Ron Gallagher • Dec. 12, 2012 -
Study says federal road-building money has real economic benefits to states
Two researchers have been looking at the economic effects of federal road dollars, and they have found it's possible to measure the benefits to states.
By Ron Gallagher • Dec. 12, 2012 -
Mortgage rates find new bottoms in latest banker survey
How low can they go? The answer in the latest mortgage-banker survey is at least 3.32% for 30-year, FHA-backed loans.
By Ron Gallagher • Dec. 12, 2012 -
Low inflation generally is no comfort as contractors watch materials prices rise more
The construction industry cannot catch a break from recession-induced low inflation because materials prices are rising faster than that.
By Ron Gallagher • Dec. 11, 2012 -
ABC says new healthcare taxes for 2013 will be hard on contractors
The taxes – one on investment income and one for Medicare – kick in when joint filers' incomes go over $250,000.
By Ron Gallagher • Dec. 11, 2012 -
Many sectors – but not offices – look a bit brighter next year in survey of AEC firms
Building Design + Construction polled its readers about 2013's outlook and found cautious optimism.
By Ron Gallagher • Dec. 10, 2012 -
LCS Enters into JV with Nine Senior Living Communities
By Gabriel Circiog, Associate Editor Des Moines, Iowa-based LCS has entered into a joint venture with Chicago-based real estate investment firm Harrison Street Real Estate Capital that has acquired an equity position in nine senior living communities in Greater Minneapolis. The [...]
Dec. 8, 2012 -
Construction employment falls as contractors' 'cliff' worries weigh
Federal jobs numbers show construction employment is down in both residential and nonresidential sectors, and contractors are worried about taxes rising on Jan. 1.
By Ron Gallagher • Dec. 7, 2012 -
AGC puts price tag for federal fiscal stalemate at $6 billion for construction
The contractor organization figures mandatory spending cuts that will take effect next year absent any plan to delay or avoid them altogether will put 170,000 jobs at risk.
By Ron Gallagher • Dec. 7, 2012 -
Trade groups see construction economy getting better in 2013, but remaining far from best
The opinions about recovery among industry groups' economists vary, but no one is sending up skyrockets yet.
By Ron Gallagher • Dec. 6, 2012 -
Home Builders' index for improvement gains 76 more U.S. metro areas
The National Association of Home Builders tracks areas that have had at least six straight months of improvement in three indicators.
By Ron Gallagher • Dec. 6, 2012 -
Toll Brothers posts a nifty profit in fiscal year's last quarter
Even without a one-time tax benefit that steeply boosted results, net income was still more than 300% of last year's Q4.
By Ron Gallagher • Dec. 5, 2012 -
Look at Houston contractor Satterfield & Pontikes for tough-times survival tips
The firm had strategies to survive the recession, including its early embrace of technology.
By Ron Gallagher • Dec. 5, 2012 -
Gilbane economics report says residential building recovery is real
Residential should finish the year 12% above 2011 numbers, Gilbane says, and nonresidential should be up 5%.
By Ron Gallagher • Dec. 4, 2012 -
Would new city-funding mechanisms change people's decisions about where to live?
If cities could collect the cost of services from suburbanites who commute in, would the pattern of housing choices change?
By Ron Gallagher • Dec. 4, 2012