BUILDING CYCLE: The recurring periods of first active and then stagnant home sales and housing construction. A complete cycle usually lasts from 15 to 20 years. The source of these ups and downs rests with the competitive nature of the home construction business, the length of time it takes to build a house and, perhaps most importantly, the length of time before a house depreciates. See also | competition | market | shortage | excess demand | government | price | excess supply | surplus | business cycle | investment |
