AGC: 127 cities lost construction jobs in past year

Still, 180 metros bolstered contractor payrolls, despite lack of congressional action on a long-term highway bill.

By Sharon O'Malley • July 30, 2015

Homeownership plummets to 48-year low

If the rate slips just a little further — as economists warn is likely — it could set a new record low.

By Sharon O'Malley • July 29, 2015

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

Pace of home-price growth slows in May

Housing values rose year over year, but not as much as economists had forecast, Case-Shiller reported.

By Sharon O'Malley • July 29, 2015

Lenders tip-toe back into ADC market, with lots of conditions

After licking their wounds from the recession, banks are asking for more equity, smaller project sizes and very few spec homes.

By Sharon O'Malley • July 28, 2015

Hispanics shut out of housing market by traditional measures of creditworthiness

Housing and consumer advocates have called on lenders to consider alternative ways to determine whether an applicant can repay a loan.

By Sharon O'Malley • July 28, 2015

Unanticipated dip in June new home sales hampers industry optimism

The 6.8% decrease confirmed warnings from some economists, who said increasingly tight inventory would have a negative impact on the market.

By Emily Peiffer • July 24, 2015

Fannie Mae: Home sales to reach 8-year high in 2015

A pending interest rate increase will not trump job growth and rising consumer confidence, according to the agency.

By Sharon O'Malley • July 24, 2015

AGC: 'Troubling' stats reveal 25 states lost construction jobs in June

The association said the industry may be holding back on hiring because of uncertainty over long-term federal funding for highway work.

By Sharon O'Malley • July 23, 2015

Swelling demand boosts June existing home sales to 8-year high

The NAR reported home prices also rose as the market offers limited available inventory.

By Emily Peiffer • July 22, 2015

Zacks: High supply costs, lack of labor cripple homebuilding growth

The investment research firm reported that tight inventory, strict lenders and low oil prices are eating away at homebuilders’ gross margins.

By Sharon O'Malley • July 22, 2015

Foreclosure starts dip to pre-recession levels

RealtyTrac's report offered good news for the economy, as a dwindling inventory of foreclosed properties on the market is a sign of overall improvement.

By Sharon O'Malley • July 17, 2015

ABC: Construction material costs barely rise as 'crisis economics' define market

The association's chief economist said, "At some point, prices will begin to rise, perhaps aggressively."

By Sharon O'Malley • July 16, 2015

4 reasons housing will finish strong in 2015

A new Capital Economics report found that home sales, inventory, prices and mortgage rates are all poised for increases.

By Sharon O'Malley • July 14, 2015

College degree can make it harder to save down payments

Student debt and a slim earnings gap in one-third of the Top 100 markets mean high school grads can  buy homes sooner than those with university diplomas.

By Sharon O'Malley • July 10, 2015

More consumers than ever say now is a good time to sell a home

That attitude could lead existing homeowners to list their properties for sale, boosting the housing inventory and spurring purchases.

By Sharon O'Malley • July 7, 2015

WSJ endorses construction as 'best career path' for non-college grads

The industry is hiring faster than manufacturing and is expected to continue on that path for the foreseeable future.

By Sharon O'Malley • July 6, 2015

Why homes sell faster when gas prices drop

With pump prices predicted to dip to their lowest level in six years, expect homebuying to put the pedal to the metal.

By Sharon O'Malley • July 6, 2015

Construction employment flat despite surge in home starts, sales

As demand from first-time buyers picks up, hiring will follow a return to a normal pace of building, economists say.

By Sharon O'Malley • July 5, 2015

'Solid' growth in construction spending aids overall economic recovery

But the AGC cautioned that the industry’s ongoing labor shortage threatens to stunt further progress.

By Sharon O'Malley • July 2, 2015

Multifamily circus: Is the rental sector's hot streak doomed to fizzle out?

Rental property owners have been riding high as the industry sees unprecedented growth, but some PCBC experts questioned whether the success is sustainable.

By Emily Peiffer • July 1, 2015

AGC: Infrastructure funding fiasco stifling construction employment growth

The number of metro areas that added industry jobs between May 2014 and May 2015 represented a two-year low.

By Sharon O'Malley • July 1, 2015

Student debt, little savings, limited selection; but first-timers still aim to buy homes

Speakers at an editors’ conference agree millennials face hurdles, but disagree on their biggest challenge.

By Sharon O'Malley • June 26, 2015

Harvard report: Homeownership plunges to 22-year low

Multifamily builders have stepped up to accommodate an unprecedented demand for rentals.

By Sharon O'Malley • June 24, 2015

Zillow report shows home prices increase 3% in May

The roller coaster market is transitioning from ‘recovery’ to ‘more normal’ – Zillow.

By Sharon O'Malley • June 24, 2015

First-time buyers boost May existing home sales to near 6-year high

The highly anticipated entrance of the new purchasers finally came to fruition in the NAR's recent report.

By Sharon O'Malley • June 23, 2015