Eye On Housing

Inflation accelerated to a nearly three-year high in April, driven by continued increases in energy costs from the Iran war. Energy costs drove more than 40% of the monthly increase, with national gasoline prices soaring above $4.50 in early May for the first time since July 2022. With energy costs straining household budgets and eroding […]

In the first quarter of 2026, consumer credit grew at a slightly faster pace than in years prior amid positive yet sluggish economic growth and rising inflation pressure. According to the Federal Reserve’s G.19 Consumer Credit Report, total outstanding U.S. consumer credit reached $5.14 trillion in the first quarter of 2026. This marked a 3.25% […]

Existing home sales edged up in April after reaching a nine-month low in March, but sales remained at historically low levels. Elevated mortgage rates and reignited inflation driven by the Iran war continued to weigh on affordability as economic uncertainty pushed up long-term rates, while rising energy costs strained household budgets. Despite inventory improving in […]

Wage growth for residential building workers remained subdued during the first quarter of 2026, reflecting continued softness in housing construction activity and easing labor demand. According to the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, both nominal and inflation-adjusted wage gains moderated further, marking a clear transition from the rapid post-pandemic expa...

The U.S. labor market continued to show resilience in April, with job growth persisting despite elevated interest rates and rising geopolitical uncertainty related to the Iran conflict. The unemployment rate held steady at 4.3%. Hiring gains were concentrated in health care, transportation and warehousing, and retail trade, underscoring continued strength in service-oriented sec...