While Wall Street has focused on trade, interest rates, and the midterm elections, a potentially bigger risk to the markets has gone almost unnoticed: Housing starts have slid, prices in some high-profile markets have weakened, and share prices of publicly traded homebuilders have plummeted. That could eventually mean big trouble for an economy in which consumer spending comprises 70% of GDP. Last year, residential and commercial construction contributed $1.34 trillion, or 7%, to GDP. Home purchases have a multiplier effect on consumer spending, since they often generate further sales of furniture, appliances, ... (full story)