Dodge Data: Construction starts tumble 13% in April

A drop-off in large nonbuilding projects drove the downturn in overall starts.

By Kim Slowey • May 22, 2017

NAR forecast: Housing starts on pace to reach 1.27M in 2017

Ongoing challenges continue to suppress single-family starts, including labor and lot shortages, and tight lending conditions.

By Katy Tomasulo • May 19, 2017

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Labor

A roundup of articles about issues affecting the workforce.

By Construction Dive staff

Townhouse construction slows in Q1, still near 20-year high

Activity in the sector is expected to pick back up as prospective buyers in search of affordable, entry-level housing buck the tight single-family market.

By Mary Tyler March • May 19, 2017

These US cities have the biggest cuts in rents, home prices

On a national basis, rental hikes are finally easing, with about one in 10 listings experiencing a rate cut year-over-year, according to a Trulia study.

By Katy Tomasulo • May 19, 2017

Homeowners spend $15K on average to prepare for sale

Staging, carpet cleaning, interior painting, lawn care and house cleaning were the five most popular home prep projects in a Zillow–​Thumbtack analysis.

By Mary Tyler March • May 19, 2017

ConstructConnect lowers 2017 starts forecast due to weak Q1 activity

The group also cited the president's lack of movement regarding tax reform and infrastructure spending as another factor in the less-optimistic forecast.

By Kim Slowey • May 19, 2017

Turner & Townsend: NYC has world's highest construction costs

The New York City construction industry spent $43 billion in 2016, which represents a 3.5% increase from 2015 and is largely due to rising labor costs.

By Kim Slowey • May 18, 2017

Denver had a 1-month supply of for-sale homes in April

Those homes sold in an average of 22 days last month, compared to 57 days nationwide, as price growth stresses historically affordable markets.

By Katy Tomasulo • May 18, 2017

New-home sizes continue to contract as entry-level demand grows

The trajectory is a shift from the immediate post-recession trend of builders putting up larger homes as they focused on the luxury segment.

By Mary Tyler March • May 18, 2017

Taylor Morrison consumer survey shows changing homeownership ideals

More than half of homebuyers surveyed said they plan to change homes throughout their lifetime as their lifestyle needs change, the report found.

By Mary Tyler March • May 18, 2017

Household debt returns to pre-crash heights

The share of student loan debt keeps climbing, challenging millennials as high debt levels and suppressed wages can mean lengthy payoff timelines.

By Katy Tomasulo • May 18, 2017

ConstructConnect: Nonresidential starts fall 7.2% in April

The commercial and industrial sectors were hit the hardest, with project values plummeting 35.4% and 72% month-over-month, respectively.

By Kim Slowey • May 17, 2017

Dallas housing market on pace for another record year

With the median home price in Dallas higher than the national median in Q1, analysts are concerned North Texas could lose its status as an affordable market.

By Mary Tyler March • May 17, 2017

CA housing affordability improves slightly in Q1

A state-wide inventory shortage and rising interest rates are slowing home-sales activity as median-priced homes become affordable to more potential buyers.

By Katy Tomasulo • May 17, 2017

How Trump's tax plan could impact homebuyers

Raising the standard deduction could disincentivize first-time buyers from entering the market and keep existing owners from trading up.

By Katy Tomasulo • May 17, 2017

Multifamily cooldown a drag on housing starts in April

Meanwhile, single-family starts increased slightly from March and are 8.9% ahead of a year ago as builders race to meet housing demand.

By Mary Tyler March • May 16, 2017

Home prices in US metros climb 6.9% in Q1

A shortage of for-sale housing and high demand in the nation's major cities continue to fuel home-price growth, according to the National Association of Realtors.

By Mary Tyler March • May 16, 2017

Study: Obama Presidential Center in Chicago to create 5K jobs during construction

The project, which will be complete by 2021, is expected to deliver a 10-year economic impact of $3.1 billion to the city.

By Kim Slowey • May 16, 2017

Report: The impact of mortgage refinances on the housing crash

The prevalence of cash-out refinances made the category more likely than purchase loans to default ahead of the Great Recession, says the Urban Institute.

By Mary Tyler March • May 16, 2017

Buffalo, NY developer plans millennial housing

The project will use affordable rents, access to public transportation, electric vehicle charging and a wellness center to draw younger residents to the Rust Belt city.

By Katy Tomasulo • May 16, 2017

Tight inventory, strong demand drive builder optimism up in May

Builder confidence in the market for new single-family construction hit its second-highest level since the recession, per the National Association of Home Builders.

By Mary Tyler March • May 15, 2017

Saudi Arabia considers $40B investment in US infrastructure

Saudi officials have said that President Donald Trump's $1 trillion infrastructure plan is attractive, as it could be a low-risk investment with healthy returns.

By Kim Slowey • May 15, 2017

Developer scores $1.25B loan for NYC condo project

The Bjarke Ingels–designed Eleventh project will take up a full block in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood and will cost an estimated $1.9 billion.

By Kim Slowey • May 15, 2017

FL cities lead the best housing markets for first-time buyers

New buyers can expect to find low housing costs, sufficient inventory and potential for home-value growth in the Southeast and Midwest, according to Zillow.

By Mary Tyler March • May 15, 2017

Softwood lumber prices hit highest levels since 2004

The softwood lumber trade woes between the U.S. and Canada are a key driver of the steady price increases, according to the National Association of Home Builders.

By Katy Tomasulo • May 15, 2017