Bloomberg - "Libor Proxies Gain as Traders Seek Truth With Swaps" (5-29-08)

"Libor, the benchmark for 6 million U.S. mortgages and more than $350 trillion of derivatives and corporate bonds, has been called into question since the Bank for International Settlements said in March some lenders may have understated borrowing costs to keep from appearing like they are in financial straits."

Bloomberg - "Treasuries Fall as Economy Grows More Than Initial Estimate" (5-29-08)

"U.S. debt dropped before the Treasury's $19 billion auction of five-year notes, following a $30 billion sale of two-year securities that attracted tepid demand. Dallas Fed President Richard Fisher said yesterday the central bank will probably raise the target lending rate if the public's inflation expectations increase."

Bloomberg - "Higher Treasury Yields Means 'Darker' U.S. Outlook" (5-29-08)

"The yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury note increased to the highest level of the year after the government said the world's largest economy grew at a faster pace in the first quarter than it originally estimated. Rates on home loans typically track long-term government debt and may soon follow suit, said Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Economy.com in West Chester, Pennsylvania."

Bloomberg - "Centro Talks 'Progressing Well' on A$1.2 Billion Sale" (5-29-08)

"Centro Properties Group, the Melbourne-based owner of more than 650 U.S. malls, said talks are progressing to sell its stake in a fund that manages A$1.2 billion ($1.16 billion) of assets."

Orange County Register - "13% of Calif. homes have quake insurance. Good call?" (5-29-08)

"New state Department of Insurance stats show Californians continue to shun earthquake insurance for their residences. In 2007, 13.07% of residential insurance policies included earthquake coverage, that’s up slightly from 12.8% in 2006 and 11.85% in ‘05."

Los Angeles Times - "Straight to auction: 17 model homes in Palmdale" (5-29-08)

"Another clump of new homes is going straight to auction on June 1. The auction house Kennedy Wilson is billing these 17 homes in Palmdale and Lancaster as 'gorgeous, luxury model homes.'"

Realty Times - "Real Estate Outlook: Forecasts from Top Bank Execs" (5-29-08)

"Howard Atkins, chief financial officer of Wells Fargo, was quoted in the American Banker newspaper as saying that lower mortgage rates -- the latest 30-year average dropped below 6 percent again last week -- plus more affordable housing, and banks newly strengthened by capital infusions, should trigger a recovery this year."

Realty Times - "Realty Viewpoint: HomeBuyers At Walk-Away Price, Best Buys To Come This Summer" (5-29-08)

"In Q1-08, housing prices were down over three percent, the largest decline since OFHEO began tracking the index. The purchase index showed prices falling in 43 states, a testimony to the pervasive credit crunch and fear gripping housing markets, even in economically healthy locales."

Realty Times - "ID Theft Hits Home" (5-29-08)

"A growing number of crooks who steal your identity don't swipe your personal information to pilfer from your financial accounts. They want to get their hands on your home and snatch it right out from under you."