MultifamilyExecutive: Construction Trends

Build Up: High Cost of Wood Brings New Opportunity for Developers

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 08:00:10 EST

With construction costs rising, some high-rise projects are now less costly than their wood-frame counterparts.

Combat Construction Costs by Beating the Cycle

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 04:07:53 EST

There's an art, and science, to timing the materials and labor market.

Housing Offers a Bright Spot in Construction Spending

Fri, 1 Mar 2013 02:54:15 EST

While the headline number was bleak, private residential projects offered solid gains in January.

Outboard Motor City: Shipping Crate Condo Project Sets Sail

Fri, 11 Jan 2013 12:28:30 EST

Ground will break on the innovative Exceptional Green Living on Rosa Parks mulifamily housing project in mid-December.

Will Micro Apartments Go Macro?

Fri, 10 Aug 2012 03:24:57 EST

Several urban job centers have committed to building tiny, affordable housing units.

2012 Mid-Year Construction Forecast

Thu, 21 Jun 2012 10:45:19 EST

Economists explained why the construction sector has been so slow to recover from the housing downturn and what we can expect moving forward, in a 2012 Construction Forecast hosted by Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc.

Size Matters

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 11:22:38 EST

Are small units really the future, or just good headlines?

Size Matters ... Are Small Units Really the Future, or Just Good Headlines?

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 11:29:07 EST

We were intrigued as new data on new home size trends came to light from the National Association of Home Builders economics department's Rose Quint in the past few days. Data like this is going to be the talk of the town among multifamily leaders of all stripes, because it raises an important set of caveats about one of the biggest assumptions in housing right now.

Multifamily Builders Could Feel Chinese Boom

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 05:28:48 EST

Apartment development is supposed to heat up in the United States over the next couple of years, but it's nothing like what’s reported to be going on in China. In an effort to stave off recession and provide affordable housing, the Chinese government is reportedly in the midst of an ambitious plan to build a staggering 36 million subsidized apartments, known as social housing, by the end of 2015, according to The Wall Street Journal. Besides being floored by that amount of apartment production, U.S. apartment builders are wondering how they could be affected.

Apartment Architects and Developers Planning Smaller, Denser Communites

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 11:38:20 EST

Capital constraints and lifestyle changes among renter demographics are converging to make smaller, denser, downtown apartment communities the hottest spots to build.

Third Party Contractors with Specialties had an Advantage in 2010

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 11:35:24 EST

In the multifamily business, if you’re a third-party apartment builder, you generally make that your bread and butter.

Construction Lenders Begin Catching the Fever

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 01:17:11 EST

Since the start of the year, a growing number of construction debt providers have become increasingly aggressive, driving leverage levels up and spreads down.

Architectural Billings Go Up Since the Middle of Last Year

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 11:34:06 EST

Architectural Billings Go Up Since the Middle of Last Year

Five Ways to Save Money on Construction

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 11:34:36 EST

As developers begin to look at whether new construction pencils out again, architects, property managers, and general contractors are getting a lot of calls to do studies and help underwrite deals. Some of these proposals will turn into nothing, but others could eventually lead to starts. What separates a winner from a loser? Well, finding debt and equity is always the biggest driver.

Oil Prices Could Wreak Havoc with Construction Costs

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 11:33:19 EST

Earlier this week, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said that a sustained surge in oil prices could mean weaker growth and higher inflation. Still, the Fed chieftan said he didn’t feel concerned about the recent spike in oil. Multifamily developers, however, know skyrocketing oil prices could affect their business.

Residential Construction Spending Up

Tue, 1 Mar 2011 01:48:44 EST

Overall construction spending dipped in January, likely a consequence of the weather.

A Texas-Based Modular Manufacturer Ships Modules With Concrete Foundations

Tue, 1 Mar 2011 03:28:27 EST

GroundFORCE Building Systems is close to expanding this service to residential builders.

Construction Debt Market Grows More Competitive

Mon, 14 Mar 2011 02:27:46 EST

While the FHA remains the market-share leader, traditional construction lenders like Chase, U.S. Bank and Bank of America, and even insurance companies like MetLife and PacLife, are stepping back into the market.

Stick-Built Construction Dominates New Starts

Thu, 13 Jan 2011 10:12:19 EST

Even if banks will back a concrete project, a developer still needs to build something that’s affordable. So many companies are opting to build lower-cost, wood-frame garden communities.

Life Beyond FHA

Tue, 12 Oct 2010 04:26:39 EST

For much of the past couple of years, market-rate developers have relied on FHA 221(d)(4) constructions financing to start new projects. Without the HUD program, it’s hard to imagine many deals being started in this cycle at all.