Contractors are cautiously optimistic after the Federal Reserve delivered its third interest-rate cut of 2025, lowering its benchmark rate by another 25 basis points. The move reinforces a gradual easing trend that developers hope will reduce borrowing costs as 2026 approaches. Industry leaders say the cut boosts confidence and supports projects already in planning, but it is not large enough to immediately spur a wave of new nonresidential construction starts. While planning activity dipped slightly in November, it remains significantly higher than last year, suggesting continued momentum even as financing…
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When will housing prices drop?
New data from Realtor.com shows the U.S. housing market is cooling, with homes staying on the market longer and prices softening in many areas. In November 2025, the typical home spent 64 days for sale, three days longer than a year earlier and nine days longer than in 2022. Price trends vary by location, but nationally there are clear signs of easing: annual price declines were recorded in 28 of the 50 largest metro areas, while six others saw flat prices. The U.S. Census Bureau reports the median home price…
Read More2026 U.S. Labor Market Outlook
New data from HireQuest indicates that the 2026 labor market is moving toward stability after several years of rapid swings in hiring trends. Survey results from more than 400 offices show that time-to-fill rates have largely steadied, job applications remain consistent and employers are leaning more heavily on flexible hiring models like contract and fractional roles. The market is shifting toward skill-based hiring, with companies emphasizing flexibility, job fit and roles that cannot be automated. Trends such as reshoring, easing tariffs and advancements in AI-driven recruiting are also influencing demand,…
Read MoreFed cuts rates again, though mortgage rates are already down
The Federal Reserve announced another 25-basis-point cut to the federal funds rate on October 29, marking its second consecutive quarter-point reduction this fall. Though the Fed doesn’t directly control mortgage rates, these decisions influence borrowing costs across the economy. Anticipating the move, mortgage lenders had already begun lowering rates throughout October, with 30-year averages nearing 6%, the lowest level in more than three years. Despite this decline, housing demand remains muted, as mortgage applications have continued to fall. The Fed’s latest rate cut reflects its attempt to balance a slowing…
Read More5 Home Renovation trends you’re expected to see in 2026
Design experts are already forecasting the biggest home renovation trends for 2026, and they suggest that homeowners will be moving away from open-concept layouts in favor of more defined and functional spaces. Architect Peter Miles predicts that as people continue spending more time at home, traditional floor plans with designated areas, such as private home offices, will become more desirable. In addition, wellness-focused renovations are expected to grow, with homeowners adding amenities like home gyms, saunas and meditation rooms to support healthier lifestyles. Improved air quality and natural light will…
Read MoreThe Ongoing Strength in Luxury Remodel Segment
Due to the ongoing government shutdown, much of the key federal economic data used by businesses to make informed decisions, such as housing statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau, has been temporarily unavailable. As a result, analysts are relying on private reports, such as the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing’s data, to assess current market trends. This report focuses on North American luxury homes, defined by price relative to income in specific regions. For instance, luxury homes range from about $784,000 in Philadelphia to over $2.2 million in Boulder, Colorado.…
Read MoreRefinancing Applications Increased Amid Fed Rate Cut
Following the Fed’s rate cut, mortgage and refinancing applications are up week-over-week. Compared to last week, mortgage applications have increased by 29.7% and the Mortgage Bankers Association’s Refinance Index reports a 58% increase. With mortgage rates at their lowest since last October, refinancing applications have jumped to take advantage of the lower rates. In anticipation of the rate cut leading up to the Federal Reserve meeting, homeowners were already jumping to refinance. Through this influx of newly refinanced mortgages, contractors can expect increased remodeling activity to begin shortly. With the…
Read MoreRemodel of the Week: Luxurious Modern Mediterranean Style Coastal Home
A vacation retreat in Pismo Beach, California was recently remodeled to the vision of the ultimate beachside retirement home using modern Mediterranean style to naturally brighten up the previously dark and dimly-lit house. Tackling the whole house with new paints, materials and detailing transformed the home into the ultimate coastal paradise. Substituting lighter-colored cabinetry in place of the red-stained wood and changing the dark countertops to white made the most of the decision to more light enter in through the bigger windows near the kitchen. The entrance and living room…
Read MoreSlower Growth Projected for Remodeling Into Next Year
According to the Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity (LIRA), annual expenditures for improvements and maintenance to owner-occupied homes are expected to soften in 2026. Under the Remodeling Futures Program at Harvard, the conducted study measured changes in remodel activity across the broad market. Year-over-year spending on home renovation and repair is indicated to increase by just 1.2 percent by the second quarter of 2026. As noted by Chris Herbert, Managing Director of Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies, “federal cuts to incentives for home energy improvements could spur an increase in…
Read MoreResidential Remodelers Outnumber Single-family Builders in the U.S.
The number of residential remodelers in the U.S. hit a record high of 128,187 in 2022, 65% more than the 77,455 residential builders, according to new Census Bureau data. Remodelers have seen much faster growth than builders, rising 25% from 2017 to 2022 and 73% since 2007, while the builder count grew 12% and fell 21% over the same periods. Remodelers made up 62% of all residential construction businesses in 2022, continuing a trend that began after builders last held the majority in 2007. Read More
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