Archive for January, 2010
Obama lunches with various industry executives
U.S. President Barack Obama lunched on Tuesday with executives from a range of industries to discuss the economy, according to a White House official.
Haiti earthquake revealed the terrible cost of poor building design
The sight of thousands of collapsed structures in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, may lead you to wonder whether a strong earthquake could cause equally widespread, catastrophic building collapse in an American city.
In China, fear of a real estate bubble
BEIJING — With property prices soaring in key cities, many investors and bankers worry that China has the next great real estate bubble waiting to be popped.
The FHA flips on a policy
The Federal Housing Administration — better known as FHA — is revising its long-standing “anti-flipping” rules starting Feb. 1.
Private equity funds go to Las Vegas looking to bankroll builders
Master Builders Association celebrates centennial anniversary with 100 community service projects
Members of the country’s oldest and largest building group dipped paintbrushes, swung hammers, hoisted lumber and performed other tasks over the past year to help meet the challenge, known as “100 for 100″ of performing public service to marks its centennial.
Feds move up income verification for mortgage-modification plan
Some see hints of bottom in housing
Although evidence is mixed and tentative, some analysts see evidence that hard-hit housing markets in California, Arizona and elsewhere are showing signs of healing. California – Arizona – United States – Business and Economy – Housing
Jeremy Renner, Kristoffer Winters' Hollywood Hills area home sells for more than $4 million
No bomb here. Actors Jeremy Renner, who played the leader of an explosives disposal unit in the critically acclaimed film “The Hurt Locker,” and co-investor Kristoffer Winters found a buyer for their restored 1924 Greek Revival in the Hollywood Hills area after five months on the market. It sold for more than $4 million.
FHA revises 'anti-flipping' rule
The agency once again will provide mortgage insurance for some purchases where the seller closed on the property less than 90 days earlier. The objective is to speed up sales of renovated houses. Call it three birds with one stone: The federal government hopes simultaneously to help low-down-payment home buyers, investors who fix up foreclosures, [...]