Bailout Ben's Bogus Brainstorm
(The Motley Fool) The Fed chairman would like to up the federal role, and use your money, to solve housing's woes.

Bernanke Has a Point. Maybe.
(The Motley Fool) Is his idea about reducing mortgage principals a reasonable one?

Your Own Private Island
(TIME Europe) Driven by the seemingly endless American fascination with real estate and the continual thirst for affordable, less developed seaside views, island dwelling has become practicable and increasingly popular.

HCN: Safe Harbor in a Nasty Market
(The Motley Fool) Health Care REIT may be a solid, steady-as-she-goes investment in a dangerous market.

Three's Company
(Real Estate Portfolio) Land Securities Group, once the United Kingdom's largest publicly traded property company, announces that it will divide into three separate companies.

Choices, Choices, Choices
(Real Estate Portfolio) Investors have more ways to buy and sell real estate than ever before. Read on about some of these new choices.

Building Potential
(Real Estate Portfolio) Non-traded REITs, cousins of publicly traded REITs, are a growing trend in the real estate investment industry.

Down, But Not Out
(Real Estate Portfolio) Without a doubt, real estate funds moved through some stormy times in 2007. But no storm lasts forever.

A Little Knowledge Can Go a Long Way
(Real Estate Portfolio) As investors continue to boost their levels of sophistication and add to the ever-growing list of investment vehicles before them, NAREIT's educational mission will remain a focal point of its ongoing agenda.

Made to Order
(Real Estate Portfolio) There are several ways you can fit real estate into your portfolio. By using publicly traded REITs, ETFs, direct investment or commingled funds, you can find the real estate option that works best for your risk and return expectations.

California call for halt to foreclosures
California foreclosure crisis as sales and prices continue to fall

First time buyer numbers fall
Survey finds first time buyer numbers have fallen since last year

Housing bubble just booms and balloons
No housing bubble just different booms and deflating balloons in home prices but buyers back out of deals in record numbers

Southern California home sales at nine year low
Home sales in Southern california show dramatic fall with price growth also slowing

No housing bubble new analysis of fundamental home values
No housing bubble claims study with homes being undervalued in many areas and exisitng housing bubble assumptions flawed

Housing Bubble is real and a risk to economy
Housing bubble prices overvalued mortgage equity withdrawal and unemployment are risk

Real estate investment expo targets realtors and entrepreneurs
Real estate expo aims to help realtors become real estate entrepreneurs make money from national and international real estate investment

Futures trading real estate offers more options
Futures and options trading for real estate using home prices indexes for investors housing bubble insurance

Existing home sales and prices rise
Existing home sales and prices rise leading realtors to claim home market is stabalizing

Mortgage delinquencies rise
Residential mortgage delinquencies rise with small increase in loans enterering foreclosure since previous quarter

Online real estate advertising warning
Online real estate advertising attracts investors filipping real estate

Is bursting housing bubble an opportunity ?
Conflicting views on bursting housing bubble opportunity and who could benefit

Housing market continues to slow
Data shows housing market continues to slow new and existing home salse both decline

Craigslist sued over fair housing laws
Lawsuit filed by fair housing group alleges cragslist published discriminatory ads

Existing home sales fall in December
Large regional variations in sales with home price growth also reduced in December - 2005 record for sales

Housing market back to normal growth in 2006 say realtors
Housing market to show more normal rate of price growth and more sustainable sales pace

Pending Home Sales Index slows for third month
Realtors say slowing Home Sales Index shows housing market in transition

Real estate bubble not seen by LaSalle
Student housing and buildings in non-condo conversion markets seen as offering good returns

Home sales and housing production to slow in 2006 say homebuilders
Homebuilders forecast a return to sustainable levels of sales production and price appreciation

Florida home sales rise prices show small gain
Florida's existing homes median price continues rise, sales show slight gain in November

Illinois home sales level and prices rise over last November
Illinois home sales level in November, prices rise 9.8 percent from year earlier

Pending home sales show market easing
Home sales decline expected as housing sector slowing say realtors

Trends indicate housing bubble
Study claims that housing market trends indicate dangerous hosuing bubble

Housing overvalued investors say
Perceptions of real estate valuations are local suggests survey

Fed raises interest rate to 4 percent
Increase in interst rate aimed at controlling inflation

Freddie Mac mortgage relief for Wilma borrowers
Freddie Mac announces mortgage relief for borrowers affected by Hurricane Wilma

How to avoid conflict of interest when buying and selling a home
Avoid conflict of interest in real estate with free consumer booklet

Pulte Homes have record Q3 results
9 percent increase in average selling price to $317,000 per home

Hood files lawsuit against insurers after Katrina flooding
Attempt to force payment for flood losses not covered by property insurance

Florida land sale biggest since Disney?
Florida land sale of Citrus and Ranch land may be biggest since disney

High risk mortgages and home prices
High risk mortgage lending could threaten home prices with Interest Only, Pick a Payment and OptionArm

Existing home sales remain in record territory say realtors
Slight easing of sales in June may reflect some weakness in the labor markets says Lereah

California median home price increases 15.9 percent in June
California median home price hits record $376,260 sales increase 7.2 percent C.A.R. reports

New home sales break another record in June
Sales of new single-family homes rose to a second consecutive record-breaking high in June

Florida's home sales rise 14 percent in June
Florida statewide median sales price rose 11 percent to $161,900 last month

Illinois June home sales up 7.2 percent
Illinois home sales rise median home price up 7.3 percent on year

Housing starts and building permits rise
Housing starts rise 3.7 percent, building permits rise 0.8 percent

Housing Market Index shows builders confidence still high
Housing Market Index rise indicates builders confidence still high but land availability causes concern in some areas

Inclusionary housing grows in California
Inclusionary housing an explosive trend in housing strategy has potential to double affordable housing production

NAR Survey of home buyers and sellers shows growing web use
Nearly three out of four homebuyers now use the Internet as a tool when searching for a home

M.D.C Holdings reports record second quarter homebuilding profits
Highest second quarter home closings, quarterly home orders and quarter- end backlog in Company history

Nearly one in seven buyers owned or bought a second home in Q1
Nearly one in seven home buyers owned or bought a second home during first quarter

Census Bureau releases commuting and housing data
Census Bureau releases commuting and housing data for 13 Metro Areas

Large suburban cities in West are fastest-growing
Large suburban cities in West are fastest growing according to Census Bureau,Gilbert leads

California's Housing Affordability Index falls
California's Housing Affordability Index falls one point in May affordability gap between California and U.S. at 32 points

Homeownership and housing strength to continue through 2003
Leading homeownership and housing sector economists predicted a record-setting year for housing

ECRI says downturn in home prices unlikely this year
Leading Home Price Index indicates home prices will remain buoyant in near term

Realtors home sales forecast stronger than earlier predicted
Home sales forecast volume stronger than earlier projected,should surpass last year's record say realtors

Western Washington home sales rise
Home sales in Western Washington rise sharply from year ago

NAHB boosts forecast for 2003 sales of new single-family homes
Builders boost forecast for 2003 sales of new single-family homes to record-high 985,000, say housing market will continue to provide strong suppot to economy

Hovnanian Enterprises announces 44 percent increase in June 2003 new home orders
A leading national homebuilder reports rise number of new home orders which includes effects of acquisitions

Construction falls 1.7 percent
Construction falls 1.7 percent, spending on new residential housing units falls 0.7 percent

Foreclosures.com sees no relief in Bay Area foreclosure activity
Negative job growth and protracted unemployment will increase foreclosure activity in the second half of 2003

Foreclosures.com reports foreclosure activity in Chicagoland still high
Pace of foreclosures in the Chicago metro area continues at near epidemic levels says foreclosures.com

Foreclosures.com - NJ market helps homeowners in default
Foreclosures.com say New Jersey's hot housing market helps homeowners in default

OFHEO releases Capital Classifications for Fannie and Freddie
Smaller interest rate shocks and recent years house price appreciation largely account for the growth in capital surpluses

Bank outlines ways to increase homeownership in Ventura County
Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco looks at ways to assist working families in Ventura County in their search for affordable homes

Housing market in many U.S. cities may have started to decline
The Coming Crash of the Housing Market gives pessimistic forecast for residential real estate prices

California home sales fall as prices hit new record
California home sales fall 7.7 percent on year, California home prices rise 15.6 percent on year

Florida home sales up 6 percent
Florida home sales data shows prices also up, Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater MSA's largest number of resales

Builders forecast record high for new home sales in 2003
Builders say current demand is fueled by financing climate and solid investment potential

Housing leading way in turning economy around says HUD
May home sales data - increases are good news for American families and the nation says HUD

Existing home sales rise at third-highest monthly pace on record
Existing-home sales increased 1.2 percent, realtors expect sales activity to ease a little

New home sales post largest percentage gain since September 1993
New home sales in May 12.5 percent above revised April estimate

Salary increases fall for first time in a decade
Salary increase budgets across America have declined significantly for first time in 10 years Conference Board reports

Mortgage delinquencies fall, foreclosures rise slightly in Q1
Latest MBA survey finds minor decrease in overall delinquency rate while percentage of loans in process of foreclosure rose for all loan types during Q1

Builders urge major push to address unmet rural housing needs
Significant need for new production of affordable housing units and access to competitively priced credit in rural areas

Housing affordability a problem say builders
Despite strong housing market housing affordability remains a serious problem for many say builders

Bay Area homes for sale - numbers up on month, down on year
Numbers of Bay Area homes for sale up on month and prices reach new peak

Houston, Charlotte top homes for sale by owner list
Survey finds Houston tops home for sale by owner list leading Charlotte in independent home sales

Study - homeownership creates benefits for individuals and communities
Homeownership Alliance study finds homeownership provides numerous social benefits for both individuals and communities

Southern California homes for sale - numbers up on month
Strong southern california home sales continue but numbers down on year

More boomers plan to relocate for retirement
Baby boomer opinion survey finds 59 percent of those surveyed plan to relocate for retirement

MBA forecasting $3.3 trillion in mortgage originations
MBA expects 68 percent will be loans to refinance existing mortgages

Refinancing activity increases in latest MBA survey
Composite Index increased by 0.7 percent - up 192.6 percent compared to the same week a year earlier

Fitch: U.S. housing/homebuilders still positively influencing economy
Fitch anticipates further growth in builder profits and cash flows despite lower residential construction activity

Builders pick up the pace of new construction
Builders still projecting 1.7 million housing starts for all of 2003

Housing starts and building permits rise
Housing strats rise 6.1 percent, building permits rise 3.7 percent

Builder confidence rises strongly in June
Housing Market Index (HMI) rises five points report home builders

MBA warns of fall in homeownership rates if FCRA changed
MBA testimony on The Role of FCRA in the Credit Granting Process and effect on homeownership rates

California's Housing Affordability unchanged as home prices rise
Interest rates keep California's Housing Affordability Index unchanged in April despite rise in median home price

Builders testify on solutions to remove affordable housing barriers
Builders call on Congress to take steps to remove affordable housing barriers and expand homeownership opportunities

Study finds workforce heroes cannot afford homes
Essential workers working in central cities have less than a one-in-three chance of finding a home they can afford

Freddie Mac provides SEC update
Securities and Exchange Commission starts fromal investigation of Freddie Mac

30-Year Fixed Rate Mortgage still dropping
Refinancing activity remains strong

Lennar reports 50 percent increase in Earnings Per Share
Lennar reports US homebuilding market remains strong as a result of favorable supply and demand trends

Group expresses concern over reasons for Freddie Mac shakeup
Citizens Against Government Waste reacts strongly to Freddie Mac shakeup

OFHEO statement on Freddie Mac review
OFHEO statement - concern over altering and failing to supply documents relevant to the restatement process

Freddie Mac announces new leadership
Freddie Mac - new CEO, earnings restatement expected to materially increase reported earnings

UCLA Anderson Forecast still predicting short-term sluggishness
Economic forecast predicts real estate boom to continue, sees end to economic downturn in California in Q3

Home price growth moderates yet remains brisk in Q1 2003
Freddie Mac Quarterly Mortgage Home Price Index found growth in home values up 5.1 percent

Mortgage applications - more records broken
Composite,Purchase and Refinance indexes all set new records

NAR predicts record home sales for 2003
Realtors expect housing sector to set a sales record in 2003

Program to create 6,000 California affordable housing units
Bank of America and Impact Community Capital announce plan to build 6,000 new affordable housing units in California over three years

OFHEO launches interactive house price calculator
OFHEO house price calculator to estimate the value of a home by state, city or region

MBA hails introduction of Homeownership Tax Credit Act
Homeownership Tax Credit Act will help mitigate downpayment closing costs associated with obtaining a mortgage says MBA

Merced Community reacts to housing crisis
Study finds most current residents will be unable to afford to buy a home in Merced within five to ten years

Q1 2003 House Price Index decelaration trend continues
U.S. homes average 6.48 percent annual price appreciation

Construction spending falls again
Construction put in place during April 2003 estimated at seasonally adjusted annual rate of $862.6 billion

Million dollar homes - Cambridge, Mass. has highest concentration
Census Bureau analysis Home Values 2000 shows 18 percent increase in median price since 1990

30 year FRM sets another record low
Housing market will continue to prosper says Freddie Mac

Real Estate Capital Markets Report looks at 10 critical issues
Report sees tough challenges for 2003 and beyond

Toll Brothers report record earnings and revenues for Q2
Expansion program continues with a record 176 selling communities today and a projected 185 selling communities by FYE 2003

Refinance Index over 5000 for 21st consecutive week
Refinancing activity increased to 77.1 percent of total applications

California luxury home values rise in Q1 2003
Los Angeles Posts 11 Percent Gain, San Francisco and San Diego stable

Illinois home sales ahead of last year
Illinois existing home price up 5.4 percent sales up 2.3 percent

Existing home sales up 5.6 percent in April
Existing home sales rise median price up 6.8 percent on year

New home sales data bodes well for season say builders
New home sales at seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.03 million units

New home sales up 1.7 percent on April
New home sales rise small gain in average price

Florida home sales rise 5 percent in April
Florida existing home sales rise 5 percent prices up 11 percent

California existing home price up 14.8 percent, sales down 9.3 percent
Year-to-date sales decline 5 percent in line with our realtors expectations

Intown housing demand steady
Intown housing demand is steady fueled by young childless professionals some empty nesters eperts say

Wisconsin housing market outpaces region and nation in Q1
Residential home sales in Wisconsin up 6.9 percent in Q1 outpacing Midwest region and Nation

A majority of the House reaffirms banks don't belong in real estate
Legislation will keep banking conglomerates out of real estate brokerage and property management

Mortgage rates continue to fall
Refinancing market picks up more speed as mortgage rates fall again

Bay Area home sales still fluctuate but prices hit new peak
Bay Area home sales up on month down on year but prices rise again

Southland home sales strong in March
Southland home sales up on month price hits new record

Fixed Rate Mortgages reach record low again
Average 30-year fixed rate mortgages 5.17 percent with interest rates at 45-year lows

Appraisal Groups urge Congress to examine appraiser regulatory structure
Appraisal Groups call on Congress to investigate Appraisal Regulatory Agencies respond to GAO Report

ICBA - better access to the secondary mortgage market
Freddie Mac and ICBA sign alliance agreement giving ICBA enhanced access to the secondary mortgage market

Study on concentrated poverty in Washington, DC released
Poorest Become Poorer study on patterns of concentrated poverty in Washington by Fannie Mae Foundation

Smart Growth jury recognizes development proposals for wise land use
Smart Growth Alliance recognizes development proposals contributing land use,transportation and environmental advantages to the Washington

Bill would act as 'Tax on housing' says NAHB
Bill to amend Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Charters would act as a Tax on Housing says NAHB

Housing Starts fall but building permits bode well says NAHB
Builders say permit issuance and backlogs should boost housing starts in May

Housing Starts fall 6.8 percent
Fall in Housing Starts greater than expecteded

Housing Market Index reveals rise in builder confidence
Housing Market Index up four points as builder sentiment improves

California home sales fall - price hits new record
California home sales post 3.5 percent decline, median price posts 14.3 percent gain in first quarter CAR reports

Florida homes for sale - demand and prices rise
Florida homes for sale - sales rise 10 percent prices also rise

Illinois existing home sales show small gain in first quarter
Illinois sales of existing homes rose 0.8 percent in first quarter

California's Housing Affordability Index falls to 28 percent C.A.R reports
Minimum income of 352,780 dollars needed to buy median priced home in California

Purchase Index reaches new record in latest MBA survey
MBA seasonally adjusted Purchase Index reaches highest level since May 2002

Housing on track for second-best year say realtors
Realtors say 2003 is likely to be the second-best year for real estate market

The New Shape of Suburbia looks at whats changing and why
Suburbs change in keeping with consumer demographics and lifestyles says study

Study finds essential occupations struggle to afford housing
Many essential occupations could not afford median priced home based on median income

AmeriDream, NAHREP partner to increase Hispanic homeownership
Partnership formed to increase homeownership in the Hispanic community

Condo sales set record in first quarter
Sales of existing condominiums reach new record in first quarter

California foreclosures down
California first quarter foreclosures lowest since 1992

Housing Affordability Index reaches 30-year high
Realtors say first quarter housing affordability highest in 30 years

Study: Multifamily housing poses no detriment to home values
Harvard study finds multifamily housing poses no detriment to overall home values

California home prices rise while sales fall
California home prices rise 15.3 percent sales fall 3.2 percent

Florida home prices and sales rise
Florida home prices rise 12 percent sales up 7 percent since a year ago

Illinois home sales hold steady and prices rise
Illinois home sales flat while prices rise 5.9 percent since last March

Existing single family home sales fall
Realtors expected home sales decline in March

New home sales up 7.3 percent
March new home sales rise, February data revised upwards

New home sales rebound in March
New home sales in March offset declines from beginning of year

N.C. existing home sales grow - prices flat
Sales of existing homes in North Carolina grow but prices remain flat

Southland home prices increase in March
Southland home prices increase sales decline for first time since August

Bay Area home price peaks in March
Bay Area home price remains strong but sales decline

Baby Boomers, Seniors Continue Buying Up
New Study reveals preferred home features financing trends

Remodeling continues to outpace the economy
Homeowners increase spending on home improvement projects

Housing industry set for another good year says Freddie Mac
Housing industry set for another good year says Freddie Mac as mortgage rates remain low

Housing Starts Gain Momentum in March, Boding Well for 2003
Housing Starts rise 8.3 sustain builders confidence

Housing Starts rise higher than expected, building permits fall
Housing Starts rise 8.3 percent while building permits fall 7 percent in March

Purchase Index falls in latest MBA survey
Purchase insdex falls Refinance Index rises

California's Housing Affordability flat
California Housing Affordability Index at 30 percent in February

Puget Sound home sales maintain annual growth in March
Florida existing home sales rise 10 percent prices rise 8 percent over a year

New home sales fall 8.1 percent, inventories rise
New home sales fall 8.1 percent inventories rise to highest level in five years

Refinance Index falls in MBA survey
Refinance Index falls Purchase Index and mortgage rates increase

Existing home sales fall in February
Drop in existing home sales was expected says NAR

California home sales fall 7.1 percent prices rise
California home sales fall and prices rise in February

Florida home sales and prices rise in February
Florida existing home sales rise 10 percent prices rise 8 percent over a year

Freddie Mac restatement process on track
Freddie Mac expects cumulative effect to materially increase past earnings

Illinois home sales and prices rise
Illinois price of existing single-family homes and sales rise

MBA Survey shows mortgage delinquencies down
National Delinquency Survey shows mortgage delinquencies decreased loans in forclosure increased

Local businessmen seek to revitalize Detroit neighborhood
Detroit developers to break ground on one of largest Eastside housing developments

Fitch: Home mortgage industry largely insulated from war's impact
Mortgage industry insulated from war no national housing bubble says Fitch

Bay Area home sales down, prices steady in February
Bay Area home sales down 3.5 percent in February prices steady

Southland home sales strong in February
Home sales in Southern California remained strong especially Riverside and San Bernardino counties

MBA applauds House passage of Bankruptcy Reform Bill
MBA applauds passage of Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Act of 2003 (H.R. 975)

Program to allow homeowners to occasionally skip a mortgage payment
Hibernia pilots low cost program to allow homeowners to occasionally skip a mortgage payment

Composite and Refinance Indexes reach record highs
Refinance Index record may be due to homeowners perceiving an interest rate bottom

Survey: 61 percent say may flee Northern U.S. after record winter
Survey finds 61 percent may consider escaping south for the winter

Lennar reports record EPS for Q1 2003
Lennar revenues from sales of homes increased 30 percent in the first quarter of 2003

Builders offer Congress ideas to enhance tax plan
Builders want to protect LIHTC from adverse consequences from dividend proposal

Texas Realtors,Fannie Mae fight predatory lending
Borrow With Confidence campaign aims to expand home ownership and fight predatory lending

NAHB - housing market fundamentals solid
Builders avoid inventory overhang during economic and geopolitical uncertainty

Housing Starts - largest fall since 1994
Housing starts fall 11 percent while building permits rise

Fannie Mae passes halfway point in $2 trillion American Dream Commitment
Fannie Mae and its lender partners fulfilled over half of pledge to provide $2 trillion in home financing

Builders confidence undermined by weather war and weak economy
Builder confidence falls to lowest level since November 2002 as fears mount on war,jobs and economy

KB Home reports record first quarter earnings
KB Home's higher unit delivery volume and operating margin drove net income to new first quarter record

Bank One and Fannie Mae to help homeownership grow in Michigan
$12.5 billion community lending alliance with 25 percent targeted at increasing homeownership among minorities

Rev Sharpton leads demo against Charter One Bank lending practices
NABO NAN say Charter One of Michigan not significantly improved minority lending practices

Tarragon Realty Investors reports strong results
Tarragon Realty Investors reports revenues increase 14 percent year to year

Northwest Corridor Homeownership Initiative launched
Northwest corridor homeownership initiative launched with Freddie Mac and Bank of America to increase minority home ownership

NCRC releases Best and Worst Lenders: A Consumers' Guide
Best and Worst Lenders ranks thrifts, mortgage companies and credit unions for minority consumers

Refinance Index reach record high in latest MBA survey
Refinance Index reach record highs, Purchase Index decreased slightly

Fannie Mae announces foreign currency debt issuance vehicle
New foreign currency debt issuance vehicle and extended trading hours to help meet US mortgage demand

Appraisal Institute warns of RESPA lending bottleneck
Appraisal Institute say HUD's RESPA reform will drive good appraisers from the residential market

ALTA - RESPA changes will hurt small business
ALTA claims proposed RESPA changes would hurt consumers and mortgage settlement process

San Diego realtors fixing prices declares Appeals Court
Court of Appeals ruled that all five Boards of Realtors in San Diego County fixed prices

Freddie Mac Chief Economist responds to Poole's comments
Freddie Mac Chief Economist claims adequate liquidity

Rural Guarantee housing initiative launched in Illinois
Scheme for affordable single-family homes in rural counties at below market interest rates

Retention Rates increase during refinance boom
Study finds mortgage lenders managed to keep just one of every five customers

Poole - Fannie, Freddie and crisis in U.S. financial markets
Housing in the Macroeconomy - us economy vulnerable to unquatifiable risks from GSE's

KB Home enters largest new home market with acquisition
KB Home acquires Colony Homes one of the largest privately owned homebuilders in the Southeast

Home Builders reaffirm support for economic growth package
New study by Mortgage Bankers Association underscores need to enact Bush Tax Plan builders say

Property valuation software forecasts increasing prices
Property valuation software forecasts increasing prices in metropolitan areas next year

California housing affordability falls in January
California housing affordability falls 2 points in January Monterey least affordable

Interest rates reach record low in latest MBA survey
Interest rates fall, REFI's soften but remain near record high in latest MBA survey

Realtors say housing prospects good
Realtors say housing prospects good, concerns over length of war

Slowdown in home price growth continues into fourth quarter
Conventional Mortgage Home Price Index shows national home price slowed in Q4 2003

Act to protect against false information on credit reports
Act to force creditors credit collection companies to correct inaccurate information on credit reports

House Price Index indicates growth decelerating
House Price Index quarterly appreciation 0.83 percent, continued deceleration

Fed Govenor - no housing bubble but sharp price falls in some areas
No housing bubble but home construction and sharp price falls in some areas could become widespread

No Nationwide Housing Price Bubble says PMI Group
PMI says no housing price bubble as Risk Index remains stable

New home sales decline no cause for alarm says NAHB
NAHB - slowdown practically inevitable but still strenght in the national housing market

Mortgage-backed securities lead U.S. bond issuance
Mortgage backed securites lead bond issuance to a record for the second year in a row

New home sales fall 15 percent
New home sales fall 15 percent in January, prices also drop

Fitch: U.S. homebuilders in position to outperform again in 2003
Homebuilders to ouperform but Fitch sensitive to concerns about increasingly liberal lending standards

Access to insurance and soaring premiums are barriers to homeownerhip
Soaring homeowners insurance premiums and lack of coverage are barriers to homeownerhip claims NAR

HUD launches program to create more barrier-free housing
HUD Program educates building and design industries about accessibility provisions of Fair Housing Act

Call for appraiser safeguards to be preserved in RESPA
Appraisal Institute and American Society of Appraisers call for preservation of appraiser safeguards in RESPA reforms

Home Builders support HUD RESPA proposal to simplify home buying process
NAHB supports proposal to simplify home buying process as potential to simplify mortgage shopping and loan closings

Luxury home values in California rise 3 percent in 2002
California luxury home values - San Diego Values Highest In Survey's History Los Angeles Values Rise To 10-Year High

HUD's Proposed RESPA rule would hurt consumers says ICBA
ICBA claims bill will damage consumers small loan originators and settlement service providers

Existing home sales hit new record in January
Existing single-family home sales rise 3 percent, prices increase

Middle market housing still rising in Los Angeles and Orange Counties
Study shows home buyers continue to take advantage of low interest rates as prices continue to rise

California median home price up 17.3 percent, sales ris 0.1 percent
California home price rises and flat sales raises affordability concerns

Florida home sales and prices rise in January
Florida existing home sales rise 13 percent prices rise 11 percent

Illinois home sales fall, prices rise
Illinois statewide median price up 8.1 percent,sales fall 0.7 percent

Homebuyers confusion demands education and guidance
Homebuyers report difficulty and confusion delays in closing their house purchase according to survey

Manpower survey shows hiring activity to decline in second quarter
Employers will be hiring at slower pace in Q2 2003 according to Manpower Employment Outlook Survey

Lowe's reports record earnings for fourth quarter and fiscal year
Lowe's world's second largest home improvement retailer reports net earnings $1.47 billion in 2002

OCC issues predatory lending guidelines
OCC issues releases establishing nationwide guidance to guard against predatory lending practices

Freddie Mac Commits $2 Million to expand minority home ownership
Freddie Mac to help the national NeighborWorks network

Countrywide Financial Corporation comments on Fitch rating action
Countrywide reponds to Fitch Ratings Watch Negative claims effectve hedging of MSR's

Fitch places Countrywide on Rating Watch Negative
Fitch concerned by risks of high levels of MSR's as percentage of equity and hedging MSR volatility

Housing Starts rise to highest level since 1986
Housing Starts rise multi-family home permits fall in latest Commerce Dept data

California detached home price breaks record in Q4
California detached home price breaks record, sales up 15.8 percent Q4

California leads record breaking luxury home sales
Coldwell Banker Real Estate reports record breaking luxury home sales

Real estate market is vulnerable in wartime
House prices may fall if U.S. goes to war says Wall Street Journal

Orleans Homebuilders announces income increase
Orleans Homebuilders announces net income increased 53 percent compared to prior year period

Florida home sales and prices rise
Florida home sales rise,home prices increases Q4 2002

Illinois home sales set new record
Illinois Single family home sales set new annual record for 2002

Housing industry calls for tax credits and incentives
Housing industry coalition calls for measures to increase the nation's affordable housing supply

Rise in home price expected to slow this year
Rise in home price expected to slow but interest rates will help sustain strong home sales say NAR

Greenspan: Housing bubble - potential problems but not serious ones
Greenspan testimony: no need to address housing bubble, household debt levels not a cause of concern

Condo sales break annual record
Condo sales break annual record hold strong in fourth quarter according to NAR

Neighborhood Gold to reinforce HUD's promotion of affordable housing
Neighborhood Gold pledges continued support of its down payment assistance grant program

In real estate CCH says biggest tax breaks are closest to home
Investing in real estate can bring special tax advantages according to CCH

California housing affordability falls
California median priced home affordability falls five points in December C.A.R reports

Real estate bubble warning for investors
Investors who buy real estate high before bubble bursts warned by planners

Involuntary unemployment insurance as protection against mortgage foreclosure
Involuntary unemployment insurance is protection against mortgage foreclosure says CCIA

Mortgage applications remain strong,refinancing
Mortgage loan applications for purchases rises refinancing falls in weekly MBA survey

California million-dollar home sales
California Million-dollar home sales surged to record levels last year

Housing affordability rises in fourth quarter
Low mortgage interest rates and rising income improved housing affordability according to NAR

Construction spending strong in December
Construction put in place during December 2002 847.9 billion dollars

Home mortgage lending tightened
Home mortgage lending tightened residential mortgage demand softens

Home mortgage lending tightened
Home mortgage lending tightened residential mortgage demand softens

American Home Mortgage reports fourth quarter results
American Home Mortgage reports record earnings,loan production and EPS

New home sales rose 3.5 percent in December
New home sales rose in December with record number of houses sold

California home price up 20.2 percent in December
California homes median price up 20.2 percent in December,sales up 20.9 percent C.A.R. Reports

No significant change in vacancy rates
Census Bureau reports on residential vacancies and homeownership

Existing Home sales rise
December Existing Homes Sales rise breaking annual record

Illinois Home Sales break record
Illinois Home sales set record in 2002 say Illinois Association of REALTORS

Florida home sales stay on the upswing say Florida realtors
Florida home sales - 2002 ends with a 10 percent Increase says Florida realtors

Freddie Mac Freddie Mac announces record earnings
Freddie Mac announces record earnings for 2002

Appraisal Groups want appraisal oversight and reform added to Agenda
Appraisal groups want Banking Committee to add appraisal oversight and reform to the Agenda of the 108th Congress

Real estate powered San Fernando Valley economy say realtors
Residential real estate drove economy in San Fernando Valley during 2002 say realtors

Farmer Mac posts solid fourth quarter results
Farmer Mac announces fourth quarter results and impact of FAS 133

Beazer Homes announces record results
Beazer Homes results due to strong housing environment and costs contol

Builders respond to Governor's Address
New Jersey Builders Association express disappointment

Refinancing activity falls in weekly MBA survey
Refinancing activity and mortage applications fall in weekly MBA survey

Freddie Mac expects to restate earnings upward for prior years
Freddie Mac earnings restatement due to hedge accounting treatment of some transactions

Off site construction can reduce the cost of high quality homes
Off site construction technologies can reduce costs shorten cycles increase profits

OFHEO proposes disclosure regulation for Fannie and Freddie
Proposed regulation on disclosure for the Enterprises under Securities Exchange Act

Washington D.C. Named No. 1 City in World by foreign real estate investors
Real estate investors name Washington D.C No 1 city up from No 3

Housing starts - highest since 1986
Housing starts in December 2002 reach new high

HUD proposes housing counseling grant increase
Proposal to increase funding for HUD Counseling Grant Program to $45 million

Northern Virginia's most popular ZIP codes for home buyers
Fairfax and Arlington top online real estate broker's list

KB Home reports record 2002 revenues of $5.03 billion
KB Home achieves highest revenues for any quarter in the Company's history

Cendant issues response to Wall Street Journal story
Cendant Corporation reposnse regarding loans submitted to FHA

Realtor political activity breaks record
RPAC breaks participation,fundraising and contributions records

Loan demand falls in latest MBA survey
Loan demand falls interest rates remain stable in latest MBA survey

New study examining the impact of California's housing crisis on Latinos
Lack of housing resticting first-time homebuyers - impeding Latinos seeking to move up economic ladder

Ginnie Mae announces changes to Mortgage Backed Security Program
Ginnie Mae Mortgage Backed Security Program changes to cut loan costs

House not a substiute for real estate stock invesment according to study
Home not a suitable alternative to investment in real estate stocks says NAREIT study

New rule to protect homebuyers from predatory lending
HUD announces new rule to protect homebuyers from predatory lending practices

Appraisal Institute hails proposed HUD rule
Appraisal Institute hails HUD Rule holding lenders equally accountable for FHA appraisal quality

Housing National Market Trends Index (MTI) Falls
Real estate Market Trends Index (MTI) down according to MGIC

Arizona home resales hit record
Greater Phoenix resale home market sets new sales record for 2002

BIA - Michigan strength in home construction and sales expected 2003
New home construction in Southeastern Michigan strong,steady sales 2003 according to BIA

Hammock Beach Community - 2002 sales top $96 million
Hammock Beach oceanfront resort community in Palm Coast sales exceeded $96 million

California Housing Affordability falls 5 points in November
Housing Affordability falls 5 points in November to 30 percent,C.A.R. reports

NAR forecasts slowing home sales for 2003
2003 home sales and price growth to slow according to NAR

Foreclosures rise,late payments fall
Foreclosures rose to record levels in Q3 2002 according to MBA

The Housing Bubble: Fact or Fiction
Housing bubble conference announced

Pressures Grow for Good Appraisals and Bad
Everyone has the same question about homes now: What is one really worth? Professional real estate appraisers are paid to come up with a reliable answer -- one good enough to take to the bank, you might say. But they aren't finding the task much easier than the rest of us.

Landscaping can greatly influence your enjoyment of a property -- not to mention how much time and money you will spend taking care of it.

When the staff at Professional Remodeler magazine compiled a list of the people who most influenced the remodeling industry, Fred Case, founder of Bethesda-based Case Design/Remodeling, was an obvious choice, said Jonathan Sweet, senior editor at the trade magazine.

Real estate editor Maryann Haggerty and columnist Elizabeth Razzi respond to a question adapted from a recent online chat.

For more than 100 years, St. Louis, a village in western Loudoun County, was defined by race. It was settled by freed slaves in the late 19th century and, until recently, when Loudoun's growth brought an influx of whites and Hispanics, it remained a black enclave.

When Congress and the White House put together the $150 billion economic stimulus package, they raised the maximum mortgage limits in high-cost areas for Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the Federal Housing Administration.

You know it's love when it survives a shared 700-square-foot condominium -- with a single bedroom closet. When it inspires you to sell your first home at a loss. When you agree to delay moving in for more than a year after your wedding so your stepdaughter can finish high school.

As if Detroit and the rest of Michigan haven't suffered enough.

Which came first, the clutter or the fat? TLC's "Clean Sweep" expert Peter Walsh has the answer -- but don't expect him to mince words in the new book, "Does This Clutter Make My Butt Look Fat?" (Free Press). The organizational consultant, satellite radio host and regular on "The Oprah Winfrey Sh...

Q: DEAR TIM: My husband wants to vent our clothes dryer into our garage to keep our cars warmer in the winter. I think dryer vents should be directed outdoors. Can you settle this debate?

Q: We listed our home for sale about a month ago, and our real estate agent has been conducting open houses. More than once, our next-door neighbor has made derogatory or rude remarks to the agent, potential buyers or other agents visiting.

Q: The market is not doing well here, and we agreed to pay up to $8,000 of the buyer's closing costs. Is there anything I can do to keep the amount as far below $8,000 as possible?

Here are some events that builders and developers have scheduled for would-be home buyers in the coming weeks. All are free and open to the public.

BOUNDARIES: Borders are imprecise because St. Louis is an unincorporated village and is considered part of Middleburg. Approximate boundaries are from just inside the intersection of Welbourne Road with St. Louis Road (Route 611) on the south, north for about a mile; about a half-mile east on Sna...

Stocks on Wall Street fell sharply yesterday with fresh concerns over the health of financial firms that have invested heavily in mortgage-backed securities and a new report showing that more homeowners had fallen into foreclosure than ever before.

To stand at 14th Street and Park Road in Northwest Washington is to behold a new world created at whiplash speed.

Many homeowners have the decision about flood insurance made for them. If their houses are in high-risk zones, their lenders require insurance. So they buy it.

WHAT IT IS: A water-resistant specialty paint that can adhere to porcelain and tile.

When you're considering a move to a home that just might be the last one you own, resale value is probably not your top concern. The more pressing issue in the market for "active-adult" homes is whether you will be able to sell your current home to make the move possible.

Real estate editor Maryann Haggerty and columnist Elizabeth Razzi respond to a question adapted from a recent online chat.

Beth Hulfish had always been nostalgic for the house where she'd grown up. When she got the chance to reclaim it, she jumped at it.

The Tolsons didn't set out to create a family compound on their suburban street in Columbia. It just happened.

Up a hill, off a narrow road that winds past historic homes and the ruins of the Patapsco Female Institute, sits a secluded neighborhood of clapboard houses.

BAY SHORE, N.Y. -- In one area of their landscape recycling yard were pile upon pile of mulch, much of it being dyed black, red and brown. In another area were piles of crushed concrete and asphalt. Much of it was, well, doing nothing but piling up.

Everybody wants to help keep people in their houses and out of financial stress and foreclosure, right?

John Ventura is on a mission to inform consumers about their credit, debt and rights in a bankruptcy.

Q: M y husband wants to put my name on the deed to his house. Because he obtained the mortgage a long time before our marriage, we have been told by the mortgage company that the only way my name can be added is by refinancing. Is there any other way to add my name to the title?

When the Newseum opens April 11, visitors will see an extraordinary work of architecture housing extraordinary exhibits.

An enormous amount of ink has been spilled on the mortgage market crisis, and I have contributed my share. Yet I am now convinced that the most important factor underlying the crisis has been overlooked, even though it has been in plain view all along.

Q: DEAR TIM: What is the preferred method to set fence posts? My five-foot-tall, solid-picket privacy fence has had some issues over the past 10 years. The latest problem is posts set in concrete that have snapped.

The Post publishes information on events that builders and developers have scheduled for would-be home buyers in the coming weeks. All are free and open to the public.

Sales of existing homes fell for the sixth straight month in January, dropping to the slowest pace on record. Median home prices were also down, and many analysts predicted further declines given high levels of unsold homes.

My mailbox offers an interesting view of what's important to local consumers and to the folks who earn a living selling services to them. Often those priorities aren't the same.

Sconces, light fixtures attached to the wall midway between floor and ceiling, can serve as primarily functional objects, or they can create a dramatic focal point in a room.

The loss of value of an asset because of changes in market conditions or other causes.

Chat Plus
Real estate editor Maryann Haggerty and columnist Elizabeth Razzi respond to a question adapted from a recent online chat.

A Classic Suburb Tries to Recast the Mold, in Green
LEVITTOWN, N.Y. -- This prototypical suburban community, known for mass-produced housing that went up for soldiers coming home from World War II, is again trying to standardize a way of life for its residents.

Starting the Clock Again