A precipitous decline in new home sales in Southern Nevada is contributing, experts say, to a loss of construction jobs, which fell statewide by 4,400 in August, according to the Department of Employment, Training, and Rehabilitation. Construction jobs are off 6.9% statewide for the year, according to David Schmidt, chief economist for DETR. The U.S. lost 7,000 construction jobs in August, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, meaning Nevada accounts for almost two-thirds. In January, homebuilders in Southern Nevada sold 974 homes. Nationally, 25% of home sales are falling out of escrow, according to Varney, who says in Southern Nevada, the number is between 15% and 18%.