Greenspan's tips for fixing the housing market
Boston.com
Alan Greenspan has definitely been keeping busy since retiring from the Federal Reserve; apparently he's been strategizing ways to solve the housing crisis, among other things. In the Capital column in today's Wall Street Journal, he shares his thoughts on the real estate market and the housing bailout bill recently signed by President Bush.
http://www.boston.com/realestate/news/blogs/renow/2008/08/greenspans_tips.html

US house figures in surprise rise
BBC NEWS
The US saw an unexpected increase in agreements to buy homes in June, according to figures from the National Association of Realtors (NAR).
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7548075.stm

Freddie Mac to Double Incentives To Servicers to Avoid Foreclosures
The Wall Streeet Journal
Freddie Mac, which has been stung by surging delinquencies, will double the financial incentives it offers to mortgage servicers that help borrowers with Freddie-owned loans avoid foreclosure.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121751745268501015.html?mod=hpp_us_whats_news

Housing Themes to Watch For
US News
For new construction, we have several possible measures of a bottom. These include Starts, New Home Sales, and Residential Investment (RI) as a percent of GDP. These measures will hit bottom much sooner than for prices for existing home sales
http://www.usnews.com/blogs/the-home-front/2008/08/13/housing-themes-to-watch-for.html

Housing shares move higher on buyer traffic index
Forbes.com
Housing stocks increased Friday after a Credit Suisse survey showed July home buyer traffic improved in the hardest hit markets where prices have fallen the most.
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2008/08/15/ap5328557.html

Housing Themes to Watch For
USNEW.COM
For new construction, we have several possible measures of a bottom. These include Starts, New Home Sales, and Residential Investment (RI) as a percent of GDP. These measures will hit bottom much sooner than for prices for existing home sales
http://www.usnews.com/blogs/the-home-front/2008/08/13/housing-themes-to-watch-for.html

South West's targets for new homes can still be achieved
SWINDON BUSINESS NEWS
Targets to build 29,000 new homes per year in the South West, to tackle its severe housing crisis, could still be delivered - despite dire times for the region's property and construction companies.
http://www.swindon-business.net/MonthlyNewsFiles/August2008/Aug09.htm

South West's targets for new homes can still be achieved
Swindon Business News
Targets to build 29,000 new homes per year in the South West, to tackle its severe housing crisis, could still be delivered - despite dire times for the region's property and construction companies.
http://www.swindon-business.net/MonthlyNewsFiles/August2008/Aug09.htm

RFTA won't cozy up to developer
buildinggreen.com
Public-private partnerships only go so far with the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority's (RFTA) board of directors.

Public-private partnerships only go so far with the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority's (RFTA) board of directors. http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20080815/NEWS/412840964/1077/
AROUND09&parentprofile=-1

Developer putting homes on 'un-auction' block
King5.com
he sluggish housing market has sellers thinking outside the box. One builder has a creative way of luring home buyers during a weekend event.
http://www.king5.com/localnews/stories/NW_081508WAB_unauction_homes_LJ.
4c0bf65a.html

Certifications for Green Building Professionals are in High Demand, Trade Group Says
Greenerbuildings.com
The demand for green building professionals is sharply rising as eco-friendly, energy efficient homes become more of a market norm than a market novelty.
http://greenerbuildings.com/news/2008/08/15/certified-green-building-professionals

Green Star SA: launch details of new green building rating system
Realestateweb
SA's property practitioners are gearing up for the launch of the industry's first environmental rating system, Green Star SA, which is being formally launched at the inaugural Green Building Council of SA (GBCSA) Convention & Exhibition 2008 in Cape Town in November.
http://www.realestateweb.co.za/realestateweb/view/realestateweb/en/page197?
oid=17676&sn=Detail

Certified Green Professionals Now Top 1,000, Says NAHB
NAHB
More than 1,000 builders, remodelers and other members of the home building industry have earned the Certified Green Professional (CGP) educational designation since it was introduced early this year by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).
http://www.nahb.org/news_details.aspx?sectionID=0&newsID=7669

First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit Will Help Stimulate Housing Market
NAHB
The nation's home builders are confident that a new temporary $7,500 tax credit for first-time home buyers included in a landmark housing bill enacted into law last week will get buyers back into the marketplace and help end the current cyclical downturn in the housing industry.
http://www.nahb.org/news_details.aspx?sectionID=0&newsID=7625

Sponsored Press Releases

New Housing Cycle
Rocklin and Roseville Today
The Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 may mark the beginning of a new housing cycle. The last time Congress enacted housing legislation in the 1970's; there was a significant increase in the real estate market.
http://www.rocklintoday.com/news/templates/realestate_california.asp?
articleid=6457&zoneid=48

Home sales increase as prices tumble
In Business Las Vegas
The Las Vegas housing market in July took another step toward recovery by posting the most home sales since September 2005.
http://www.inbusinesslasvegas.com/2008/08/15/feature2.html

Calendar of Events

send this page to a friend

To have your company or event included in Builder Bytes' 100,000 reader,
bi-weekly newsletter, contact editor at   editor@penpubinc.com

Please do not reply to this email.