NAHB - "Builder Sentiment Remains At Historic Lows In February" (2-17-09)

"The National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI), released today, held in the single digits for a fourth consecutive month in February. The HMI rose a single point to 9 – virtually unchanged from an all-time record low in the previous month – indicating that home builders have seen essentially no improvement in the market for new, single-family homes."

CBIA - "California New-Home Market Ends 2008 with a Whimper, CBIA Announces" (2-17-09)

"The pace of home sales at California new-home communities continued to slow in December following deteriorating credit conditions in the closing months of 2008, the California Building Industry Association reported today. CBIA officials urged the Legislature to quickly enact stimulus legislation that the Association believes will help reverse the continued depression in the state’s homebuilding industry."

CNN - "Final score: $8,000 for homebuyers" (2-17-09)

"There's a nice windfall for some homebuyers in the economic stimulus bill awaiting President Obama's signature on Tuesday. First-time buyers can claim a credit worth $8,000 - or 10% of the home's value, whichever is less - on their 2008 or 2009 taxes."

Bloomberg - "Paulson, Bernanke Blamed for Economic Meltdown in PBS Special" (2-17-09)

"Looking for someone to blame for the economic crisis? Former U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson is the designated goat in Frontline’s 'Inside the Meltdown,' which airs tonight on PBS at 9 p.m. New York time. Also taking heat are Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, a few chief executive officers and a confederacy of right-wingers."

The Washington Post - "California to begin layoff proceedings today" (2-17-09)

"After a frustrating holiday weekend that failed to yield the one vote needed to end California's budget stalemate, the state is poised to begin layoff proceedings Tuesday for 20,000 government workers."

Bloomberg - "Commercial Mortgage Defaults Rise as Large Loans Sour, S&P Says" (2-17-09)

"Late payments on commercial mortgages reached 1.10 percent during the fourth quarter of 2008, and have been climbing since the low of 0.27 percent in March 2007, S&P said in a statement today. The commercial real estate market is in the early stages of a correction, and delinquencies may reach 3.5 percent this year, the New York-based ratings company said."

Bloomberg - "MGIC, PMI Lead Mortgage Insurers Lower After Moody’s Downgrade " (2-17-09)

"MGIC, the largest U.S. mortgage insurer, plunged 66 cents, or 19 percent, to $2.79 at 10 a.m. in New York Stock Exchange composite trading. No. 2 PMI fell 26 cents, or 17 percent, to $1.30. Both companies declined more than 75 percent in the past 12 months."