The start of 2018 delivered a surprise for the housing market that caught many economists off guard. Total U.S. housing starts more than doubled some January forecasts, jumping 9.7 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.33 million units according to the joint data release from the Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of […]
Reading the housing starts data from the first quarter of 2018 reveals a construction market with strong upward momentum, even if the monthly numbers appear mixed at first glance. According to U.S. Department of Commerce figures, overall housing starts rose 1.9 percent in March, supported by a 14.4 percent jump in multifamily construction that offset
After years of relentless price growth and inventory shortages, the US housing market is showing unmistakable signs of cooling. For builders and construction professionals who have grown accustomed to a seller-dominated landscape, these shifts demand a closer look at the underlying data. Housing starts have declined, permit volumes are dropping, and existing home sales have
The United States economy demonstrated notable resilience in the second quarter as gross domestic product bounced back to a 2.6 percent annual growth rate, recovering from a sluggish first quarter that registered only 1.2 percent expansion. This rebound comes despite headwinds in the housing sector, where residential fixed investment fell sharply after an unusually strong
The housing market has long served as a reliable bellwether for the broader economy, and current data suggests another period of positive contribution is on the horizon. While monthly figures can fluctuate, the underlying trends point toward a market that is positioned to lift GDP growth, particularly in the fourth quarter. For builders and construction
