Redfin gets in on mortgage lending with new business unit

Redfin Mortgage will launch in the Texas markets of Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio in the first half of this year.

By Sean Barry • Feb. 1, 2017

Mortgage rates jump higher in December

The increase comes amid a drop in new-home sales, contributing to concerns that the hike in rates could be slowing homebuying activity.

By Sean Barry • Feb. 1, 2017

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 stories from Construction Dive

Construction Dive editors curate some of the industry’s top stories from this year.

By Construction Dive staff

US homeownership rate inches up in Q4

The measure rose 20 basis points during the period, while the share of first-time buyers dipped slightly.

By Hallie Busta • Jan. 31, 2017

AIA Consensus Forecast points to strong 2017 nonresidential construction market

The commercial sector — in particular office construction — will drive this year's growth, while economists expect the institutional segment to surge in 2018.

By Kim Slowey • Jan. 31, 2017

Blackstone's Invitation Homes gets $1B loan from Fannie Mae

The loan offers longer-term support to single-family rental operators as they manage portfolios amassed during and after the recession.

By Sean Barry • Jan. 31, 2017

Home prices edge toward new high in November

Values were 0.3% off of the peak set in June 2006, according to a new report from Black Knight Financial Services.

By Sean Barry • Jan. 31, 2017

Pending home sales rise 1.6% in December despite tight inventory and rising interest rates

Gains in the South and West were balanced by declines in the Northeast and Midwest, the National Association of Realtors reported.

By Mary Tyler March • Jan. 30, 2017

Realtor.com: CA cities lead January's hottest housing markets

Despite typically being a slow month for buying activity, January saw homes sell 4% faster compared to a year ago as supply races to keep up with demand.

By Sean Barry • Jan. 30, 2017

Construction union membership inches up in 2016

Wages of union-represented workers increased 0.2% less than their nonunion counterparts last year but were 47% higher overall.

By Kim Slowey • Jan. 30, 2017

NAHB: Housing's share of GDP shrinks slightly in Q3

Despite the third-quarter lag in residential fixed investments, initial estimates for the fourth quarter suggest an upturn in the category.

By Sean Barry • Jan. 30, 2017

Zillow: Large metros have the biggest housing affordability gaps

Pockets of lower-cost housing can be found even in the priciest markets, but buyers there face trade-offs in commute times and amenities. 

By Sean Barry • Jan. 30, 2017

Caterpillar lowers 2017 forecast amid declining global construction demand

The equipment giant is in the midst of a massive restructuring that has seen the company shed approximately 16,000 employees.

By Kim Slowey • Jan. 30, 2017

Home flipping is on the rise — and that could be a good thing

Home price increases are drawing investors with the promise of a greater return on investment, with flippers more likely to renovate homes than resell them as-is.

By Sean Barry • Jan. 27, 2017

Tight inventory pulls new-home sales down 10.4% in December

The figure missed analyst expectations for a smaller decline as supply-side conditions threaten to slow activity in the market.

By Mary Tyler March • Jan. 26, 2017

Multifamily developers shoulder higher costs to build near transit

Limited competition and high rents make transit-oriented developments attractive in the face of concerns over rising construction costs and overbuilding.

By Sean Barry • Jan. 26, 2017

Will millennials stay in cities for the long haul?

How the largest living generation will approach homeownership is only beginning to play out.

By Sean Barry • Jan. 26, 2017

NAHB: More builders expect lot, labor shortages in 2017

As symptoms of the housing market's lengthy recovery, these and other headwinds are adding costs and extending project timelines.

By Sean Barry • Jan. 26, 2017

McKinsey: Humans shouldn't sit out the automation transition

Leveraging the technology to simplify individual tasks, versus replacing entire job classes, is key to reaping its benefits.

By Chris Wood • Jan. 25, 2017

Is Los Angeles' density bonus program working? One official says no

City Controller Ron Galperin said the incentive is not supplying enough units to meet the city's affordable housing needs.

By Sean Barry • Jan. 25, 2017

Dodge Data: Construction starts fall 5% in December

Chief Economist Robert Murray said the construction industry should see the same slow rate of growth in 2017.

By Kim Slowey • Jan. 25, 2017

Developers put brakes on Honolulu condo hotel tower amid cost, demand concerns

BlackSand Capital has said it is waiting for construction costs to lower before breaking ground.

By Sean Barry • Jan. 25, 2017

Residential construction employment edges higher in December

The post-recession increase in specialty trade contractors has been greater than that of builders, the National Association of Home Builders reports.

By Sean Barry • Jan. 25, 2017

AGC: Only 25 states add construction jobs in December as worker pipeline dries up

The organization is urging President Donald Trump's administration to include workforce development in its proposed infrastructure initiatives.

By Kim Slowey • Jan. 25, 2017

Existing-home sales dip in December but end 2016 on a high note

Tight inventory and increasing affordability concerns continue to obstruct buyers looking to break into the market.

By Mary Tyler March • Jan. 24, 2017

Why 2017 will be the year of office construction

Activity in the sector is expected to surge this year, particularly in urban centers, as companies attempt to attract younger workers.

By Kim Slowey • Jan. 24, 2017