Inman - "Price index falls hardest in Phoenix, S.F." (3-9-09)

"Phoenix had the highest year-over-year price decline in December (-35.9 percent), following by San Francisco (-35.1 percent), Las Vegas (-31.9 percent), San Jose (-30.2 percent) and Sacramento (-27.4 percent)."

Bloomberg - "Depression Dynamic Ensues as Markets Revisit 1930s" (3-9-09)

"The U.S. economy’s vital signs may not confirm a diagnosis of depression. The symptoms increasingly point to one. As in the Great Depression, world trade is collapsing, wealth is evaporating and the banking system is broken. Deflation is a growing threat as companies slash production, pay and prices. And leaders worldwide are having difficulty making headway in halting the self-perpetuating decline."

Bloomberg - "AIG Told U.S. Failure May Cripple Banks, Money Funds" (3-9-09)

"American International Group Inc. appealed for its fourth U.S. rescue by telling regulators the company’s collapse could cripple money-market funds, force European banks to raise capital, cause competing life insurers to fail and wipe out the taxpayers’ stake in the firm."

Orange County Register - "Builder pays ousted execs $4 million, 2 Blackberries" (3-9-09)

"SP’s stock is down 80% over the past year to just 68 cents per share and most of its bonds trade around 50 cents on the dollar or less. Over the past four years, SP’s 10-K was filed by the week of February 25 so by that precedent it nearly 2 weeks late. It’s not much comfort that SP’s key officers responsible for its financial reporting chose instead to address disputes related to their personal interests, but hopefully now that distraction is out of the way and the 10-K will appear soon."

Orange County Register - "O.C. housing demand takes 1st dip of 2009" (3-9-09)

"it would take 4.41 months for buyers to gobble up all homes for sale at the current pace vs. 4.09 months two weeks. Market time was 8.14 months a year ago vs. 5.26 two years ago."

Orange County Register - "O.C. rents dive 6.8% in 6 months" (3-9-09)

"Apartment-tracker Axiometrics Inc. reports that Orange County landlords slashed rents at larger complexes steadily since August as the number of empty units rose"

Orange County Register - "Wells Fargo stock rises on Buffett endorsement" (3-9-09)

"Stock of Wells Fargo closed 15% higher today after investor Warren Buffett said the fourth-largest bank will emerge 'better-than-ever' from the credit crisis. The stock ended at $9.97, up $1.36 from yesterday, but still only a fraction of its Sept. 19 peak of $39.79."

Realty Times - "Condo Trends: San Diego Sales Soar at Beginning of ‘09" (3-9-09)

"Urban condo buyers in San Diego have begun a mass jump off the fence as condo sales in the city have jumped 44 percent in January 2009, compared to January a year ago. Fidelity Pacific Real Estate reports the surge, which puts the number of sales at its highest monthly level in five years"