Green Building and More

My story today was based on how many local projects are being considered “green.” Unfortunately, we all have different ideas what that means unless we’re talking about Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)by the U.S. Green Building Council. I hope to do a few more stories on this topic so we’re all on the [...]

Housing Updates

(The photo is of Independence Hall in Philadelphia by B. Krist.) This morning we had a housing update from Bernard Markstein, vice president of forecasting and analysis for the National Association of Home Builders. I think my favorite part of his approximately 40-minute talk were the phrases “phantom demand” and the “greater fool theory,” reasons [...]

In Philadelphia

In case anyone’s wondering, I’m in Philadelphia attending the National Association of Real Estate Editors Real Estate Journalism Conference. Thursday’s agenda is tackling the subprime loan industry, historical architecture and new real estate trends. I will be posting throughout the conference (which ends Saturday!) about any new information. So far it’s hot (90 degrees) and [...]

Where Remodeling Pays Off

Each year, Remodeling Magazine rates projects that give homeowners the most money back when they sell. According to its 2006 Cost vs. Value report, average people in the West actually make money if they do a bathroom remodel, minor kitchen remodel (like updating cabinets, counters, sink, etc. for around $19,000) create a second-story addition or [...]

Housing market causing a recession?

So, if you saw this story in today’s CCT, what did you think? Former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan said rising defaults in the subprime mortgage market and tightening loan standards will bring a “continued period of weakness” to housing, making it difficult to forecast growth in the next year. “We have considerable difficulty,” Greenspan [...]

More on DataQuick numbers

In case you were interested in the whole DataQuick monthly report about the Bay Area, it’s available here. Individual city information will be available in the next week and I will keep you posted, although I doubt the numbers will be very different from last month’s information. Good luck!

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