Construction Jobs More Down Than Up in November

More states lost construction jobs than added them between October and November counts. Year over year, the U.S. split 50-50 on gains and losses.

Pulse

Planning; contracts; bids and proposals for the week ending Dec. 26.

Chandan Downgrades Investment Outlook for D.C.

The quality of some recent loans is questionable because competition for investment in the capital area's rising market has affected standards.

California Pushes Fannie and Freddie Dispute With Lawsuit

The California attorney general has sued Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in a bid to force officials to answer questions about mortgages and foreclosures.

Builders' Mantra? "Seattle, Seattle, Seattle"

In a corner-to-corner national move, Miami-based Lennar Corp. has acquired 650 home lots in the Seattle area and opened in Portland, Ore.

Federal Spending Bill Trims Many Construction Programs

Bill cuts spending for EPA water, GSA new construction and DOD base closure programs, but boosts Army Corps of Engineers civil works.

Apartments Lead Home-Building Gains

Apartment housing construction permits and building starts climbed in November from October and were far above November 2010, government figures released Tuesday showed.

Congress Pushes Flood Insurance Expiration Out to May

The National Flood Insurance Program got a few months to write new policies under a law passed last weekend to avoid a government shutdown.

'Single-Family' Need Not Mean 'Owner-Occupied'

With a lot of discussion going on about multifamily leading the housing market, the National Association of Home Builders notes that 27 percent of the rental stock is single-family homes.

Bridge Is Over Budget — and Everyone's Happy

New York and Vermont paid about 8 percent extra to have contractors finish a bridge across Lake Champlain speedily because residents of both states needed the connection.

Materials Costs Down a Shade in November, but Up Over 2010

A little good news – a slight drop in building materials prices last month – got swamped by bad news that costs since 2010 were up more than contractors could raise their bids.

Another Uptick in Builder Sentiment

A National Association of Home Builders index that keeps tabs on how confidence is running in the industry is up two points this month.

Nearly $1B in Assets Back Jamestown Fund Launch

SPECIAL REPORT: What Is the Multi-Housing Environment Without Fannie and Freddie?

Financing for multi-family housing is likely to look quite different in the coming years in the wake of the SEC's charging 45 Fannie and Freddie execs.

Fleet Insurance Costs a Lot, so Ask Questions

With insurance premiums running as much as 40 percent of operating costs, construction companies should ask questions in six important areas.

Chinese Drywall Case May Be Nearing Settlement

Claims against the companies involved in making and selling sulfurous drywall would come under a settlement proposed in federal district court.

Calming Customers, Staff When Stocks Falls Down

David Barista, editor of Professional Builder, gathered some techniques to use when a down stock market makes home buyers and company sales teams jittery.

Good News on Lending Rates, but Projections Still Weak

Freddie Mac expects mortgage rates to stay low in 2012, but it also foresees fewer loans for single-family homes.

LNR Snags Last Piece in $2.5B Puzzle Near Boston

LNR says it has closed on 830 acres of former Navy property, giving it the final piece of property earmarked for the planned $2.5 billion SouthField development near Boston.

Seattle's Thornton Place Residential Mixed-Use Gets $75M Financing

Prospective lenders reportedly competed to provide financing for the multiplex-retail-housing complex at the southern edge of the Northgate mall.

USDOT Allots $511M for Tiger 3

Sooner than expected, the Department of Transportation has announced 46 projects that split $511 in the third round of Transportation Investment Generating Economic Result grants.

A Bubble Down on the Farms?

2012 Construction Cost Projections Up About 2%

Engineering News Record reports that its national Building Cost Index and Construction Cost Index should rise 2.3 percent and 2.1 percent, respectively, next year.

2011 Began With Promise; 2012, Not So Much

The end of 2011 is a very different investor climate than even four months ago. These are not exactly the best of times.

Law & Policy: 2011 Optimism Was Rightfully Cautious

Uncertainty has a hold on investors of all ilks, from institutions – which are putting deals on ice – to small-business owners and tenants, who are rightfully hesitant to invest in new employees and space.