Renters shift ownership plans as financial confidence grows

Renters today have a favorable view of renting, so much so that many plan to stay put even if rates climb, according to a new report from Freddie Mac.

By Katy Tomasulo • April 12, 2017

Market volatility takes the wind out of vacation-home sales

Purchase activity likely dropped in 2016 due to a mix of rising prices, tight inventory and uncertainty in the stock market surrounding the presidential election.

By Mary Tyler March • April 12, 2017

Explore the Trendline➔

Labor

A roundup of articles about issues affecting the workforce.

By Construction Dive staff

Five Point's IPO filing signals faith in CA housing market

Although the developer has not yet signaled its intentions, the move is expected to help secure more funding for new projects.

By Katy Tomasulo • April 12, 2017

Home-improvement pros wary of labor market, optimistic about demand

More than half of remodelers and specialty trade contractors said finding skilled labor is a challenge, according to the new HomeAdvisor Farnsworth Index.

By Mary Tyler March • April 12, 2017

NY, TX dominate 2016 commercial development

Nationwide, the commercial real estate sector added $861 billion to the U.S. gross domestic product and supported 6.25 million jobs last year.

By Kim Slowey • April 12, 2017

Developers facing tougher multifamily lending landscape

Although construction lending for large developments has tightened, there are still opportunities for projects with strong fundamentals.

By Kim Slowey • April 12, 2017

CA developer to turn shipping containers into veterans' housing

Community Development Partners' $21 million Rocky Hill Veterans Housing facility, in Vacaville, CA, will be designed to LEED Gold standards.

By Mary Tyler March • April 11, 2017

Home prices drive mortgage sizes to record levels

The combination of mortgage-rate increases and slow post-recession income growth may take the industry into unfamiliar territory.

By Katy Tomasulo • April 11, 2017

TX leads US states with fastest-growing cities

The relatively lower cost of living and economic stability are together fueling migration to cities in the Lone Star State.

By Mary Tyler March • April 11, 2017

Builders continue to put larger homes on smaller lots

The post-recession strategy of maximizing land area is being considered again as builders eye the entry-level category.

By Katy Tomasulo • April 11, 2017

Consumer confidence in homebuying falls in March

Several factors continue to keep housing's recovery modest, including low inventory, high prices, potential mortgage rate rises and, in general, a wary public.

By Katy Tomasulo • April 10, 2017

HI lawmakers consider tiny houses for agricultural workers

The bill would allow houses of less than 500 square feet in the state’s farming districts, but some critics fear the growth of housing communities in those areas.

By Katy Tomasulo • April 10, 2017

Rent growth (still) outpacing income gains in major US metros

The gap between the cost of owning a home and the cost of renting one continues to close, making homeownership increasingly attractive.

By Mary Tyler March • April 10, 2017

Dodge Momentum Index rises for sixth-consecutive month

The institutional sector once again drove the overall increase in nonresidential projects in the planning stages, compensating for a dip in the commercial segment.

By Kim Slowey • April 10, 2017

Construction employment growth slows in March

A 13,300-job increase in the nonresidential sector outweighed a 7,600-job loss in the residential segment last month.

By Mary Tyler March • April 7, 2017

These states had the highest single-family property tax rates in 2016

Owner households paid more property taxes than non-owners last year, highlighting another factor would-be buyers face when shifting from renting to owning.

By Mary Tyler March • April 7, 2017

Portland, OR looks to backyard tiny houses to shelter homeless

Through a new pilot project, Multnomah County will pay homeowners to build tiny houses in their backyards and host a homeless family for five years.

By Katy Tomasulo • April 6, 2017

NY lawmakers strike deal to bring back 421-a tax break

The revived plan mirrors an earlier proposal by Gov. Andrew Cuomo and will be tied to rent regulation to encourage more affordable housing development.

By Mary Tyler March • April 6, 2017

Number of new homes priced under $250K continues to decline

Elevated home values triggered by tight inventory conditions across all housing categories is one contributor to the relative growth in bigger-ticket sales.

By Mary Tyler March • April 6, 2017

Low housing inventory is keeping sellers from trading up

Today’s housing market favors sellers, but many are reluctant to put their home on the market for fear of not being able to find a replacement in time, Redfin reported.

By Hallie Busta • April 6, 2017

Report: How 'trading up' impacts monthly mortgage payments

The need for existing owners to free up entry-level inventory persists, but elevated home prices can make moving a challenge.

By Mary Tyler March • April 5, 2017

HUD's Carson: Infrastructure bill could include affordable housing

So far, Trump's proposed 2018 budget cuts some federal infrastructure and housing programs and defers funding responsibility to state and local governments.

By Mary Tyler March • April 5, 2017

More debt among older adults could hinder downsizing

Household debt projections from the New York Federal Reserve show the 60-plus age group with more debt, possibly due to helping family with college loans.

By Katy Tomasulo • April 5, 2017

Report: Majority black, Hispanic neighborhoods face greater rent burden

Rising rents can become a roadblock to homeownership, as a larger share of income going to rent means less available to save for a down payment.

By Katy Tomasulo • April 4, 2017

Most fully affordable housing built in areas with few resources

RentCafé reported that more low- and middle-income housing exists in neighborhoods deemed less desirable than in resource-rich areas nationwide.

By Hallie Busta • April 4, 2017