Real Estate News

WSJ.com: Real Estate
Real Estate

Learning to Embrace the Change Order
Nancy Keates discovers that the human desire to re-think decisions inevitably leads to changes in homebuilding plans. Those changes often mean big cost overruns – but sometimes, they can also translate to big savings.
FHA Raises Premiums for Home Loans
The Federal Housing Administration raised the premiums it charges for insuring that mortgages will be repaid to 1.75% of the loan amount.
Jefferson Davis's Refuge in South Rises Again
Beauvoir, Jefferson Davis's final refuge from 1877 to 1889, was almost destroyed three years ago, when Hurricane Katrina hit. But the amazing story is how much was saved and restored.
Pension Funds Watch Fannie, Freddie
Public pension funds that hold millions of shares of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are watching closely as Treasury Department officials consider whether to step in to help the mortgage-lending giants.
Housing Market Still Under Pressure
Home prices are improving in some parts of the country but still falling sharply in hard-hit places like Phoenix, as the weak housing market and shaky consumer confidence continue to weigh on the battered U.S. economy.
S&P Cuts Mortgage-Insurer Ratings
S&P downgraded its credit ratings on the units of three mortgage insurers, reflecting its expectations for increased claims and concerns about the profitability of insured mortgages originated this year.
Housing Recession Just Builds
With each economic release related to the state of the housing market comes the hope that this one, finally, will prove that the residential real-estate market is on the way to recovery.
In a Slow Market, Builders Offer Big Incentives
There's no guarantee that the housing market will turn around soon—but some builders are offering discounts that make it worth jumping now. June Fletcher offers tips on how to negotiate for a great deal.
China to Alter Insurers' Rules
Chinese regulators will give the nation's insurers greater leeway to invest in real estate, a move that could help these big investors diversify their holdings and could open a new source of capital for the weakened domestic property market.
Mortgage Fraud Jumped 42% in Year
Reported incidents of mortgage fraud jumped 42% nationwide, with Florida reporting the highest number of cases, according to industry data.
Home-Price Watchers Hope Drop Slows
This week's housing-market data won't erase the souring situation surrounding Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, but could bear a silver lining if the rate of price declines shows signs of moderation.
Hedge Funds Help Fill a Gap
More investors seeking financing to acquire office towers, retail stores and hotels are left with little choice but to turn to so-called hard-money lenders, lightly regulated businesses that charge high interest rates for short-term loans. Among the biggest players in the hard-money arena are hedge funds.
Fresh Powder for Ski Towns
Related has built signature buildings that helped to transform neighborhoods in Manhattan, Phoenix and South Florida. Now, the big-market developer is attempting a $3 billion redevelopment to transform Snowmass, Colo.
New York's 9/11 Site Needed a Logue
Rebuilding Ground Zero is arguably the greatest political and bureaucratic fiasco in the history of the world. Planner Edward J. Logue would have provided the leadership that the 9/11 site needed desperately and never had.
Citigroup Veteran Takes Apollo Job
Apollo Management LP has hired a senior Citigroup Inc. executive to build its real-estate business.

Cosmo's Flagstaff Real Estate Newsfeed