Analysis from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) shows that the construction labor market remained relatively unchanged through October. This information originates from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS). However, the current level of open jobs is down measurably from two years ago. This decline aligns with the decrease in residential construction activity. While majorly unchanged the labor market was at 7.67 million in October compared 7.66 million the month prior. There is some notice that Federal Reserve’s decision to reduce interest rate…
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Single-Family Construction Loan Volume Rises in the Third Quarter
Single-family construction lending strengthened in the third quarter, even as the broader real estate lending environment continued to cool. Loans for 1–4 family construction rose to $91.2 billion, the first annual increase in more than two years, showing a small but meaningful uptick in residential building activity. Overall AD&C lending, however, continued its decline for the seventh consecutive quarter, dropping to $463 billion, driven mostly by reduced lending for other types of real estate development. Despite the modest improvement in single-family construction loans, lending levels remain far below historical highs…
Read MoreInterior swinging door market grows
As trends across the remodeling industry shift the interior swinging door market shows major growth. According to research from market.us, they expect an estimate of growth of around USD 1.5 Billion by 2034, from USD 1.0 Billion in 2024. This indicates growth a CAGR of 4.2% during the forecast period from 2025 to 2034. While some experts think that open concept layouts will be phased out in 2026, this opens opportunities for growth in the door market. “The growing preference for minimalist flush-panel swinging door designs is emerging as a key trend in the Interior…
Read MoreTile trend that’s set to take over showers and bathrooms in 2026
Bathroom design in 2026 is shifting away from minimalist white tile toward richer, more expressive finishes, with hand-painted tiles emerging as a major trend. Homeowners and designers are gravitating toward options like traditional Delft tiles because they bring pattern, character and a sense of history that modern spaces often lack. Though decorative tiles date back thousands of years—from ancient Egypt to medieval Europe and 18th-century Delftware, their renewed popularity reflects a desire for craftsmanship, imperfection and storytelling in residential design. For builders and remodelers, the appeal is practical as well…
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 MoreThe State of the Construction Economy: What to Expect in 2026
The construction industry is heading into 2026 with uncertainty, but also with growing opportunities in reconstruction, adaptive reuse and major technology-driven projects. While high mortgage rates, rising materials costs and labor shortages continue to challenge builders, activity is shifting toward redevelopment of aging buildings and creating new housing through conversions and ADUs. Economists note that trends like office-to-residential conversions and reconstruction work are becoming essential strategies as traditional residential demand softens. At the same time, long-term volatility in interest rates and tariffs continues to influence costs and delay projects, reinforcing…
Read MorePrice Cuts on New Construction as Homebuilder Sentiment Remains Low
Homebuilders are increasingly turning to price cuts and incentives as economic uncertainty continues to weigh on buyer demand. In November, 41% of builders reduced prices, the highest share in five years, while nearly two-thirds used additional incentives such as mortgage-rate buy-downs. Builder confidence remains weak, held back by high inflation, volatile mortgage rates and lingering effects of the prolonged government shutdown, which disrupted key economic data releases. Industry leaders note that even with mortgage rates easing slightly, many buyers remain hesitant due to job-market concerns and broader financial uncertainty. As…
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 MoreNine major housing markets see price declines in August
U.S. home prices rose just 1.5% in August compared to a year earlier, marking the slowest pace of growth since 2023, according to the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller Home Price Index. This slowdown, down from July’s 1.7% increase, signals that the post-pandemic housing boom continues to lose momentum. In fact, nine of the 20 major metro areas tracked saw year-over-year price declines, and for the fourth consecutive month, home values failed to keep up with inflation. With inflation rising 2.9% during the same period, homeowners effectively lost purchasing power, while potential…
Read MoreCalifornia leans into the trades
California has approved $25 million in grants to fund 88 apprenticeship programs through the state’s Employment Training Panel (ETP), aiming to train more than 22,000 workers in skilled trades. The initiative, supported by employer-paid taxes rather than the state’s General Fund, focuses on building long-term, high-quality careers in industries like construction. State leaders emphasized that apprenticeships are key to developing sustainable career paths and strengthening California’s economy. According to officials, these programs align directly with industry needs and will provide participants with the tools to secure stable, well-paying jobs that…
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