Inflation picked up to 2.7% in November, while matching expectations, the last mile to the Fed’s 2% target proves to be the most challenging. Shelter costs continued to be the main driver of inflation, contributing nearly 40% of the monthly increase. However, the year-over-year change in the shelter index remained below 5% for a third…
As reported in a previous post, immigrants make up one in four workers in the construction industry. The share of immigrants is significantly higher (32.5%) among construction tradesmen. In some states, reliance on foreign-born labor is particularly evident, with immigrants comprising over 40% of the construction workforce in California and New Jersey, and 38% –…
In the third quarter of 2024, borrowers and lenders agreed, as they have over most of the past three years, that credit for residential Land Acquisition, Development & Construction (AD&C) tightened. On the borrower’s side, the net easing index from NAHB’s survey on AD&C Financing posted a reading of -12.0 (the negative number indicates credit was…
Mortgage rates climbed in November, driven by market volatility and a surge in Treasury yields following the recent elections. On the day after the election results, the 10-year Treasury yield spiked by 14 basis points (bps), setting the stage for further rate increases throughout the month. According to Freddie Mac, the average rate for a…
Employment growth rebounded sharply in November after strike- and hurricane-related disruptions in October. The unemployment rate rose one percentage point to 4.2% after holding at 4.1% for two months in a row. In November, wage growth remained unchanged from the previous month. Wages grew at a 4.0% year-over-year (YOY) growth rate, down 0.2 percentage points…
House prices posted modest annual growth for the third quarter of 2024, as elevated mortgage rates kept many potential home buyers away from the housing market. Nonetheless, housing inventory has improved in recent months. Nationally, house price appreciation has decelerated for two straight quarters. According to the quarterly all-transactions House Price Index (HPI) released by…
The residential construction industry plays a crucial role in driving economic growth and local community development. It has a lasting impact on local communities by creating jobs, improving infrastructure, boosting local businesses, and enhancing property values. The residential construction industry is more reliant on labor than capital in the United States. As of October 2024,…
