Not too much change happened in construction in July, with only an estimated 0.2% increase in spending from June, or a total of $879.8 billion. Too bad, since according to Reuters, economists predicted a 0.5% rise after June?EUR??,,????'???s revised gain of a higher 0.7%. However, private residential construction still surged 0.6% to $455.5 million in July as home buyers scrambled to take advantage of rising mortgage rates while they were still good deals. According to foxnews.com, a trade group reported a 5.5% increase in applications for mortgages to buy homes. Other increases in construction spending included a 4.2% increase in public safety, and a 3.7% increase in private communications. Total private construction rose 0.5% from June, while total public construction slid 0.4%. Residential construction was the highest category in spending, while manufacturing construction dropped 5.5%, the largest ratio drop in July. Spending in Billions % Change From: Type of Construction of Dollars (July ?EUR??,,????'??03) June 2003 July 2002 Total 879.8 +0.2 +2.5 Private Construction 664.2 +0.5 +2.5 Private Residential 449.6 +0.6 +6. Spending in Thousands % Change from: Type of Construction____of Dollars (July ?EUR??,,????'???03) June 2003 July 2002 Public Construction 215.68 -0.4 +2.5 Education (public) 58.07 -1.2 +1.2