Karla Valdez

Dallas

News Producer at Univision News

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Articles

Real Estate Mortgage demand drops to the lowest since April

1 week ago | bdmag.com | Karla Valdez

Despite a drop in mortgage rates to their lowest level since April, mortgage applications for home purchases fell 3% last week as weak consumer sentiment and economic uncertainty kept buyers on the sidelines. Refinance applications also dipped 2% for the week but remain 25% higher than a year ago, reflecting some responsiveness to rate changes. Ongoing volatility from geopolitical tensions and tariff policy continues to weigh heavily on housing market activity. Read More
Girls learn tools of the trade at FORGE construction camp

1 week ago | bdmag.com | Karla Valdez

The FORGE Girls Construction Camp is working to close the gender gap in construction by giving girls ages 11 to 15 hands-on experience with tools, site tours and mentorship from industry professionals. Now in its second year and doubled in size, the camp empowers girls with practical skills and exposure to career paths often overlooked by women, who make up only 11.5% of the construction workforce.
Skilled Labor Shortage Costing U.S. Homebuilders

1 week ago | bdmag.com | Karla Valdez

A new report by the Home Builders Institute and NAHB, conducted by the University of Denver, reveals that the U.S. skilled labor shortage is costing the residential construction sector an estimated $10.8 billion annually, with delays in building cycles adding about $2.7 billion more each year. The shortage led to nearly 19,000 fewer single-family homes built in 2024, limiting housing supply and pushing affordability issues higher. Read More
Senate Version of Tax Bill Retains Key Housing

1 week ago | bdmag.com | Karla Valdez

The Senate Finance Committee has released its version of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, aligning closely with the House-passed legislation but including several adjustments that will require another House vote if passed.
Multifamily Production Brings Overall Housing Starts Down

1 week ago | bdmag.com | Karla Valdez

Housing starts fell 9.8% in May 2025, driven by a sharp 29.7% drop in multifamily construction, while single-family starts stayed mostly flat with a slight 0.4% increase. Builders continue to face challenges from high interest rates, affordability issues and economic uncertainty, leading many to reduce prices to attract buyers.
Producer Prices Rise in May: New Construction Input Analysis

1 week ago | bdmag.com | Karla Valdez

Skip to content Prices for inputs to new residential construction rose 0.2% in May after a slight dip in April, according to the latest Producer Price Index report. Over the past year, input prices grew 1.9%, with goods increasing 1.6% and services 2.3%.
SkyVu: Redefining Luxury Living in Henderson's MacDonald Highlands

1 week ago | bdmag.com | Karla Valdez

KTGY, an award-winning design firm, partnered with longtime luxury builder Christopher Homes to create SkyVu, a modern hillside community in Henderson, Nevada’s exclusive MacDonald Highlands. Completed in 2023, SkyVu features five customizable home plans ranging from 3,500 to 6,500 square feet, all designed to maximize panoramic views of the Las Vegas Valley.
Mid-Year Outlook: Seeking Certainty

1 week ago | bdmag.com | Karla Valdez

Economic uncertainty has shaped the first half of 2025, with fluctuating mortgage rates, evolving Fed policy and rising costs influencing both buyers and builders. While new-home sales have outperformed existing-home transactions, builders still face affordability challenges, labor shortages and new tariff pressures.
Industry Navigates Challenging Market

1 week ago | bdmag.com | Karla Valdez

So far, 2025 has proven challenging for the homebuilding industry, with sluggish sales, diminished buyer confidence and persistent affordability challenges, despite mortgage-rate buy-downs and other incentives. Builder sentiment has hit an 18-month low, with many builders cutting prices and facing uncertainty due to fluctuating tariffs and higher mortgage rates that are expected to remain elevated for the long term. Read More
2025 ASID Economic Outlook Report

1 week ago | residentialcontractormag.com | Karla Valdez

The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) has released its 2025 Economic Outlook report, highlighting how tariffs, rising costs, and labor shortages are creating an uneven recovery for the design industry. While moderate consumer spending and employment growth offer some stability, persistent challenges like paused infrastructure projects and high housing prices demand that designers remain agile and forward-thinking.