NAHB - "Builders Lead The Way In Energy Efficient Housing, Congress Told" (4-24-08)

"Calling green building 'the next evolution in residential construction,' the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) told Congress today that the best way to help small home builders promote residential energy efficiency and sustainability technology in home construction is by extending tax incentives for new energy-efficient homes."

Market Watch - "New-home sales sink 8.5% to 17-year low" (4-24-08)

"The decline in new-home sales to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 526,000 was much weaker than the 577,000 pace expected by economists surveyed by MarketWatch. New-home sales are down 36.6% compared with a year ago and are down 62% from the peak in July 2005. February's sales pace was revised lower to 575,000 from 590,000"

CNN - "Homebuilders: No recovery until 2009" (4-24-08)

"The damaged housing and home construction markets will continue to take a beating at least through the end of the year, according to economists who spoke Thursday at a forecast conference sponsored by the National Association of Home Builders. The economists said the deterioration of the housing market helped the U.S. economy slip into a recession that will continue through June. They said high oil prices will continue to hamper consumer spending, and the ongoing credit crisis will make home financing difficult, stalling a housing recovery until at least 2009."

CNN - "Rates on 30-year mortgages top 6%" (4-24-08)

"Rates on 30-year mortgages topped 6% for the first time in six weeks as financial markets grew more worried about rising inflation pressures. Freddie Mac, the mortgage company, reported Thursday that 30-year fixed-rate mortgages averaged 6.03% this week after three straight weeks at 5.88%. Rates on 30-year mortgages were last above 6% the week of March 16 when they averaged 6.13%."

Realty Times - "Real Estate Outlook: Index Says Positive Growth Underway" (4-24-08)

"You might not hear much about them on TV or in the papers, but there are some economic signs popping up right now that are -- at the VERY least -- encouraging for housing and real estate."

Realty Times - "Regional Report: West" (4-24-08)

"HousingPredictor.com's list of the 25 worst housing markets in 2008 is dominated by California, who has 8 cities in the list. Of the remaining 17 cities, 4 are from other western states like Arizona and Oregon. Our agents in some western cities don't necessarily echo these dire reports about the overall market."

Realty Times - "Tax Rebate Uses For Sellers" (4-24-08)

"Starting in May, the U.S. Treasury Department will begin sending rebates to taxpayers, who had $3,000 of income, filed a 2007 tax return and have a valid Social Security number. Eligible taxpayers will receive up to $600 ($1,200 for married couples). Parents will receive an additional $300 for each eligible child younger than 17."

Realty Times - "Is the Single Member LLC a New IRS Target?" (4-24-08)

"A little known Court Case has just sent ripples through the business community. If you, or someone you know, has one of the 1.2 million Limited Liability Companies in the US today, you'll want to read this alert."