Many industries are still recuperating from the impact of the pandemic, but housing has been fortunate to experience a V-shaped recovery. Not only has the Housing Market Index from the National Association of Home Builders recovered to pre-pandemic levels, it has now matched December 1998 for an all-time high in the index’s 35-year history. … READ MORE >
Real estate
Hotel occupancy data: It’s only half the story
At first glance, hotel occupancy rates have been looking favorable recently. But with many hotels closing as the coronavirus spreads, occupancy rates are not providing the full picture. That’s where a new measurement called total-room-inventory occupancy, or TRIO, comes in, and the picture isn’t so promising. … READ MORE >
Laying the foundation for construction’s IT future
As the construction sector is poised to pick up, construction companies should look to participate in digital transformation, by deploying new technologies on and off the jobsite to build flexible and resilient operations that can promote long-term growth. … READ MORE >
An SOS for commercial real estate
As the length and severity of the coronavirus pandemic continue wreak havoc on the economy, real estate deals are at best being reworked and at worst falling apart altogether. … READ MORE >
School’s out for summer (or forever?)
It seems as if we are living through an alternate version of Alice Cooper’s song. While the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact across real estate sectors, student housing, once a beacon of stability, is now vulnerable as universities prepare for the school year. … READ MORE >
12.3 million rental units at risk when federal eviction moratorium ends Friday
Local courts should be prepared for an influx of filings as the federal eviction moratorium under the CARES Act officially expires on Friday. … READ MORE >
Real estate investors seen as primary funding source for “the caring economy” plan
Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden on Tuesday unveiled a 10-year, $775-billion plan to support what he deemed “the caring economy,” which is comprised of jobs that provide care for children and the elderly. In order to finance this proposal, Biden is looking to the real estate investment community. … READ MORE >
There is no V in housing, but there is in recovery
The strong data for housing starts and permits in June released last week were just the opening act for the V-shaped recovery in housing. Existing home sales increased 4.72 million for June, up 20.7% from the previous month, according to data released on Wednesday by the National Association of Realtors. … READ MORE >
Businesses already strained by COVID-19 should prepare for hurricane season
Forecasters predict a 70% chance that this hurricane season will be worse than normal. For businesses already stretched thin by the coronavirus pandemic, the grim forecast comes at a perilous time. Sectors such as insurance, real estate, hospitality and health care are particularly vulnerable. … READ MORE >
Housing remains a leader in the economic recovery
Housing continues to be a bright spot in the economy, with housing starts jumping 17.3% in June and housing permits rising 2.1% — the second straight month of gains . … READ MORE >