New building permits hit highest level since 2008

Mar 20, 2012
The number of new homes starts last month fell, but a rise in future home-construction plans gave economists hope that the housing market has stabilized
In additing to a shortage of supplies and labor, there's now a shortage of lots for home builders.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Housing market gets good news

Feb 27, 2012
Home sales jumped 8% last month. Those numbers and better than expected quarterly sales in home improvement supplies could mean some long-awaited relief for the housing market.

Latino entrepreneur adapts to survive in Las Vegas

Feb 3, 2012
The Latino population in Las Vegas has increased dramatically over the last two decades. But Latino business ownership hasn't kept pace.

Retrofit buildings more eco-friendly than 'green' construction

Jan 24, 2012
A new study shows that re-using an old building almost always saves more energy than framing up a new one.

Time to lock in mortgage rates?

Jan 5, 2012
I bought a condo in Bozeman, Mont., 7 years ago using a 5/1 ARM. When the 5-year period ended, I let it roll over into a 1-year ARM because the rate went down from 4.5 to 3.25. Then, last year, I did the same -- only from 3.25 to 3 percent. Come March, the 1-year period will expire again and I wonder if I should let this happen again, since rates will probably be low. Or should I bite the bullet, pay approximately $2,500 in closing costs to lock in a low rate for 15 or 30 years, but make higher payments? (My payments are ridiculously low.) Cindy, West Yellowstone, MT

New-home sales tank in 2011

Dec 23, 2011
This year may go on record as the worst for new-home sales since anyone started keeping record.

MID-DAY UPDATE: February job numbers, solar panels

Mar 4, 2011
We got big numbers today from the U.S. Labor Department. In February, U.S. payrolls increased 192,000 and the jobless rate fell to 8.9 percent --...

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