Podcast: Jobs and Wages Make Headlines
On the latest episode of Housing Developments, CEO Jim Tobin and SVP Paul Lopez discuss joint legislative activation by NAHB and the Home Builders Institute on the Job Corps defunding issue. Tobin and Lopez also address the Department of Labor’s proposed overtime rule, which could affect more than 3.6 million salaried workers and thousands of businesses, and other congressional activity heading into fall, including the impending vote on a continuing resolution to keep the government funded.
Listen to Housing Developments through your favorite podcast app, or watch this episode below.
Latest from NAHBNow
Economics
Feb 13, 2026
Existing Home Sales in January Plunged to Lowest Level Since 2024Existing home sales in January fell to lowest level since August 2024 as tight inventory continued to push home prices higher and winter weather weighed on sales activity.
Economics
Feb 12, 2026
The Biggest Challenges Expected by Home Builders in 2026According to the latest NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index, 84% of home builders felt the most significant challenge builders faced in 2025 was high interest rates and 65% anticipate interest rates will remain a problem in 2026.
Latest Economic News
Economics
Feb 13, 2026
Inflation Eased in JanuaryInflation eased to an eight-month low in January, confirming a continued downward trend. Though most Consumer Price Index (CPI) components have resolved shutdown-related distortions from last fall, the shelter index will remain affected through April due to the imputation method used for housing costs. The shelter index is likely to show larger increases in the coming months.
Economics
Feb 12, 2026
Existing Home Sales Retreat Amid Low InventoryExisting home sales fell in January to a more than two-year low after December’s strong rebound, as tight inventory continued to push home prices higher and winter storms weighed on activity. Despite mortgage rates trending lower and wage growth outpacing price gains, limited resale supply kept many buyers on the sidelines.
Economics
Feb 12, 2026
Residential Building Worker Wages Slow in 2025 Amid Cooling Housing ActivityWage growth for residential building workers moderated notably in 2025, reflecting a broader cooling in housing activity and construction labor demand. According to the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), both nominal and real wages remained modest during the fourth quarter, signaling a shift from the rapid post-pandemic expansion to a slower-growth phase.