New construction spending figures are mediocre — but some sectors are thriving

Jan 2, 2025
Single-family home building and manufacturing plant construction are bright spots in an uninspiring general picture.
Data center construction spending jumped 43% year over year in November. Above, a data center under construction in Eagle Mountain, Utah.
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As new home sales continue to rise, where are the appliances?

Oct 27, 2021
Some home builders are starting to figure out ways to adapt to shortages by stocking up and using alternative brands.
A lack of durable goods has slowed home building, but buyers have started to adapt.
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Homebuilders are constructing fewer homes ... on purpose

Jul 29, 2021
Some companies have decided it's better to hold back right now.
Despite a hot housing market, new data from Zonda show that 85% of homebuilders are intentionally capping their sales.
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Homebuilders are upbeat, despite supply chain troubles

Jul 19, 2021
The National Association of Home Builders' index is higher than it's been in decades, driven by strong demand and limited inventory.
Despite supply chain bottlenecks and skilled labor shortages, homebuilders are "very optimistic."
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Home construction is surging, but it's leaving out struggling renters

Aug 18, 2020
Apartment market tracking firm RENTCafé predicts apartment construction will be down 12% from 2019 to the lowest level in five years.
Even with the surges in homebuilders' confidence and some construction metrics, there is still an affordable renting housing crisis.
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What is the COVID-19 economic downturn's effect on homebuilders?

Apr 15, 2020
Both the sales and building of homes has slowed with the spread of the pandemic.
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Rising costs will continue to hit homebuilders

Dec 26, 2018
New home sales have been slipping most of the year for a variety of reasons
A worker builds a new home at the Pulte Homes Fireside at Norterra-Skyline housing development on March 5, 2013 in Phoenix, Arizona.
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For public good, not for profit.

Labor shortages and high cost of materials depress homebuilding, industry says

Jul 18, 2018
Builders are looking into long-term solutions.
A worker saws wood at Canal Crossing, a new luxury apartment community consisting of 393 rental units near the university city of New Haven on August 2, 2017 in Hamden, Connecticut. 
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Rising prices and falling affordability in housing

Mar 22, 2018
The market is good if you're selling, but challenging if you want to buy.
Lily-Rygh Glen and her wife recently bought this fixer on the outskirts of Portland, Oregon, after searching for years for an affordable first home.
Mitchell Hartman/Marketplace