Mortgage application activity declined in May as higher mortgage rate continued to impact the market, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). At the same time, adjustable-rate mortgages (ARM) gained traction. The Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Market Composite …
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Construction Job Openings Up Slightly in April
The number of open positions in the construction sector increased in April according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS). The current level of open jobs is down significantly from three years ago due …
Read More »Building Material Prices Reach 3-Year High in April
Prices rose across goods and services used in residential construction in April due to rising energy and transportation service prices, according to NAHB’s Eye on Housing. Building material prices, excluding energy, rose at their highest yearly rate in three years, …
Read More »Real GDP Growth Rebounds to 2% in Q1 2026
Real GDP growth accelerated in the first quarter of 2026, rebounding from a weak end of 2025, as government spending recovered following a disruptive shutdown, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). First-quarter growth was also supported by …
Read More »February Labor Market Sees Pullback With Widespread Job Declines
February’s labor market data point to a significant pullback in employment, with job losses concentrated across a majority of states and smaller gains elsewhere, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). In February, nonfarm payroll employment increased in …
Read More »Residential Construction Input Prices Surge in March Due to Energy Cost Spike
Energy input prices increased in March at their fastest pace since June of 2020 as the conflict in Iran impacted critical global supply chains, according to an analysis from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). Building material prices, excluding …
Read More »Fed Continues to Hold Rates Steady
The Federal Reserve continued its pause on rate reductions, holding the short-term federal funds rate from 3.5% to 3.75%, the level set in December 2025. The Fed stated “uncertainty about the economic outlook remains elevated” and “the implications of developments …
Read More »Mortgage Activity Up in January as Rates Hit New Low
Mortgage application activity rose significantly in January, primarily due to increased refinancing activity as mortgage rates dropped to a new low, according to an analysis from NAHB’s Eye on Housing. The Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Market Composite Index, a measure …
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