LendingTree adds home valuation tool to boost equity lending

The tool will estimate the extent to which a user can finance — and refinance — a given home purchase with the goal of improving lending activity.

By Mary Tyler March • June 19, 2017

Housing market breaks records in May

The average home went under contract in a record-low 37 days during the month while the market had a 2.7-month supply of for-sale homes, according to Redfin.

By Joe Dyton • June 19, 2017

Explore the Trendline➔

Labor

A roundup of articles about issues affecting the workforce.

By Construction Dive staff

Report: US housing market largely back to normal

However, supplies of for-sale and rental housing remain tight, making affordability a continued concern.

By Mary Tyler March • June 16, 2017

New Commercial Construction Index predicts a healthy 2017

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and USG Corporation developed the quarterly economic index in conjunction with Dodge Data & Analytics.

By Kim Slowey • June 16, 2017

First-time buyers in major US cities should look to the suburbs

Areas outside the nation's top metros offer the best value for this group based on a mix of housing affordability, commute times and amenities, according to Trulia.

By Mary Tyler March • June 16, 2017

Trump announces $200M apprenticeship initiative

Some critics have expressed concern about the president's move to give the private sector more influence in designing apprenticeship programs.

By Kim Slowey • June 16, 2017

Housing starts continue to slide amid weak single-family, multifamily activity

May's seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.092 million is down 2.4% year-over-year and represents the lowest level in eight months.

By Mary Tyler March • June 16, 2017

$2.4B Newark, NJ airport terminal revamp kicks off

Newark ​Liberty joins the list of airports that are renovating their facilities or building new ones to accommodate more passengers and upgrade services.

By Kim Slowey • June 15, 2017

Las Vegas authority approves $1.4B convention center expansion

The massive overhaul will include a 1.4-million-square-foot addition as well as the renovation of the existing 3.2-million-square-foot facility.

By Kim Slowey • June 15, 2017

Chan Zuckerberg Initiative invests in San Francisco teacher housing

Philanthropist Priscilla Chan and Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg will invest $5 million in local startup Landed to help up to 60 area teachers afford housing.

By Mary Tyler March • June 15, 2017

Labor, lot shortages drive builder optimism down in June

The decline reflects builders' frustration with an inability to find skilled labor and a shortage of lots, though their overall confidence in the market remains high.

By Mary Tyler March • June 15, 2017

Softwood lumber prices keep climbing amid trade uncertainty

The U.S. gets nearly all of its softwood lumber imports from Canada, and the current trade dispute between the two countries is leading to domestic price increases.

By Hallie Busta • June 15, 2017

How the latest Fed rate increase will impact mortgages rates

The 25 basis-point increase follows the last hike, in March, bringing the rate to a range of 1% to 1.25%, with another increase expected later this year.

By Hallie Busta • June 14, 2017

ConstructConnect: May nonresidential starts climb 5%

The institutional segment led the month's gains with a 16.4% bump, but a 4.5% dip in the heavy engineering sector tempered overall growth.

By Kim Slowey • June 14, 2017

Report: Majority of older adults prefer to age in place

While higher-earners in the 55-plus cohort often look to warmer climates when relocating for retirement, CoStar Group found most of their peers prefer to stay local.

By Mary Tyler March • June 14, 2017

US needs 4.6M new apartment units by 2030

To meet demand for rental housing, cities across the country would need to build 325,000 units annually over the next 13 years.

By Mary Tyler March • June 14, 2017

Construction material prices hold steady in May

Crude petroleum and unprocessed energy material costs took a sharp downturn for the month, offsetting five-straight months of overall price growth.

By Mary Tyler March • June 13, 2017

Report: Homeownership barriers high for young buyers

The U.S. homeownership rate is turning up but challenges remain, particularly for first-time buyers, according to the National Association of Realtors.

By Hallie Busta • June 13, 2017

Demand for accessible design grows as square footage shrinks

The American Institute of Architects reported a continued trend toward universal design, single-floor plans and open layouts in Q1.

By Mary Tyler March • June 13, 2017

Midwest leads ranking of best states for retirees

Builders serving the 55-plus market should keep their eye on Nebraska, which topped LPL Financial's list due to its low cost of living and overall quality of life.

By Mary Tyler March • June 13, 2017

South, Southwest sweep list of 50 largest new-home markets

The Texas cities of Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio landed among Builder magazine's annual list of the top new-home markets in the U.S. by closings.

By Mary Tyler March • June 12, 2017

Rent growth may be slowing, but affordability woes remain

A new report shows that full-time, minimum-wage earners can't afford to rent a two-bedroom apartment anywhere in the U.S.

By Hallie Busta • June 12, 2017

6 homebuilders make 2017 Fortune 500

Continued recovery in the housing market and strong price growth nationwide drove the industry's performance in this year’s ranking.

By Hallie Busta • June 12, 2017

Sacramento, CA gears up for 10K new homes

The Golden State’s capital city is getting a critical infusion of housing, with multiple projects coming online following a multiyear hold on development in the area.

By Hallie Busta • June 12, 2017

Where mortgage payments are least affordable

Owners in the Midwest and Rust Belt spent a smaller share of income on mortgage payments than the national average while West Coast owners paid more.

By Mary Tyler March • June 12, 2017