Slowdown in construction affects factory production

Weak performance in mining, oil drilling and exports contributed as well.

By Sharon O'Malley • March 18, 2015

New home starts plummet 17% in February

Many blame the dramatic dip on the month's harsh weather interfering with builders and buyers. 

By Emily Peiffer • March 17, 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

Lenders start to ease standards for mortgages

The more first-time buyers who get loans, the better the outlook for home sales.

By Sharon O'Malley • March 16, 2015

Economist disputes notion of construction labor shortage

She said that for every open job in the industry, six unemployed workers are waiting to fill it.

By Sharon O'Malley • March 12, 2015

Consumer enthusiasm for housing remains stagnant

However, Fannie Mae's chief economist believes "2015 will be a year of the economy dragging housing upward.”

By Sharon O'Malley • March 9, 2015

Homeownership: An unexpected priority for millennials?

Goldman Sachs has created an information-packed graphic about young adults, their spending habits, and their attitudes toward big purchases.

By Sharon O'Malley • March 5, 2015

Fed's Beige Book gives construction 'mixed' review for Jan/Feb

Tough times in oil-dependent states could lead the central bank to delay a planned interest rate hike.

By Sharon O'Malley • March 5, 2015

Home construction lending slows in January

The FDIC report is another indication of a ‘restrained’ housing recovery.

By Sharon O'Malley • Feb. 24, 2015

NAR: Commercial real estate to remain level through spring

However, weaker economies around the world tend to stifle potential industry growth in the U.S.

By Sharon O'Malley • Feb. 23, 2015

Freddie Mac: 2015 will be "best year for home sales since 2007"

Economists there also predicted a slight, but not substantial, rise in interest rates this year.

By Sharon O'Malley • Feb. 23, 2015

Job growth greatest for employees least likely to buy homes

A Freddie Mac analysis pointed to lower levels of homebuying power over the next decade.

By Sharon O'Malley • Feb. 20, 2015

Increase in interest rates linked to positive job outlook

Mortgage rates rose on both 30- and 15-year, fixed-rate loans.

By Sharon O'Malley • Feb. 12, 2015

Construction costs rise as economy improves

One commercial giant is preparing its clients for a 6% increase.

By Sharon O'Malley • Feb. 11, 2015

Consumer confidence in housing market grows

As their personal finances have improved, would-be homeowners are changing their outlook about the value of owning versus renting.

By Sharon O'Malley • Feb. 11, 2015

Housing markets reach near-normal levels

Still, recovery in the single-family home sector remains sluggish.

By Sharon O'Malley • Feb. 9, 2015

What's next in the Keystone XL Pipeline debate

Despite the Senate's approval of the measure and Obama's pending decision, the issue is far from over.

By Randy Lilleston • Jan. 30, 2015

Senate passes bill to construct Keystone XL pipeline

The controversial bill could reach the White House as soon as next week, but the threat of a veto is still present.

By Emily Peiffer • Jan. 29, 2015

Contractors plan to increase hiring across most sectors

Construction firms continue to struggle to fill vacancies for craft workers and professionals, even with the offer of higher pay.

By Sharon O'Malley • Jan. 25, 2015

New federal guidelines could make it easier to qualify for mortgages

First-time homebuyers and investors are the most likely to take advantage of relaxed credit requirements.

By Sharon O'Malley • Dec. 3, 2014

Early prediction puts November home sales even with October's

That means more houses will sell this month than in November 2013.

By Sharon O'Malley • Nov. 25, 2014

Construction industry creates jobs in 37 states

Still, a nationwide labor shortage is preventing employers from filling those jobs and keeping work on schedule.

By Sharon O'Malley • Nov. 22, 2014

Existing home sales improve in October despite low inventory

Resales reach their highest year-over-year level in 12 months.

By Sharon O'Malley • Nov. 22, 2014

Mortgage rates to increase moderately for 2015, according to Fannie Mae

While many economists predict 5% at some point next year, Fannie cut its outlook to 4.3%.

By Sharon O'Malley • Nov. 22, 2014

Investors flip fewer homes as appreciation slows

The profit per home is at an all-time high for buyers who resell within a year.

By Sharon O'Malley • Nov. 20, 2014

Construction of rental apartment buildings reaches 27-year high

Multifamily housing starts were down in October, but permits for future building were up.

By Sharon O'Malley • Nov. 20, 2014