Each Monday, we'll let you know what's coming in the week ahead, including important residential and commercial report releases, as well as our own feature articles.
Office construction feature — Jan. 24
Construction research and data firms have projected strong growth in office construction in 2017. As businesses plan for expansion and consolidation, their decisions are driven by concerns that range from saving money to attracting future workers. In our feature article on Tuesday, Jan. 24, we'll look at why the office sector is expected to see a rise in demand this year, as well as what office construction trends are emerging that companies need to keep on their radar.
Existing-home sales — Jan. 24
Analysts were surprised last month when existing-home sales came in ahead of their expectations for a slight dip, instead rising to an adjusted annual rate of 5.61 million. The increase put the category on its highest pace since February 2007, but an uptick in mortgage interest rates at the close of 2016 has threatened to slow that growth. On Tuesday, Jan. 24, the National Association of Realtors will release its December existing-home sales figures, offering more insight into how the rate rise, among other factors, is impacting the category.
Wellness-minded design trends feature — Jan. 26
Wellness-minded design continues to make inroads as employers, landlords and business owners prioritize the wellbeing of those who live, work and play in their buildings. In our feature article on Thursday, Jan. 26, we’ll explore how that trend is translating into commercial and multifamily design.
New-home sales — Jan. 26
New-home sales continue to climb as inventory struggles to keep up. Sales in the category rose 5.2% from October to November to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 592,000 and were 16.5% ahead of the year earlier period. Minus a spike in July, new-home sales have hovered above 550,000 for the second half of last year. High prices, increased mortgage rates and elevated labor and materials costs are among the headwinds preventing new inventory from coming online. On Thursday, Jan. 26, the Commerce Department will release its December sales figures, indicating whether tapering prices in some markets are taking pressure off the market.
