Los Angeles Times - "Inspectors under the gun, thanks to a rise in home prices, legal actions" (6-24-07)

"The growing influence of home inspections on residential real estate sales has been rapid and unmistakable. Two reasons stand out: First, home prices in major markets have increased dramatically. Buyers typically seek the most expensive homes they can afford, leaving little or no reserves for repairs that might be needed later. By disclosing unseen defects, home inspections help avoid unexpected costs. And second, the litigious nature of today's business culture arouses caution among all parties to real estate transactions. Agents and brokers have been particularly affected, causing many to become advocates for defect disclosure in general and home inspections in particular."

Los Angeles Times - "Banking on it" (6-24-07)

"IF your retirement garden — specifically your individual retirement account or IRA — hasn't been growing fast enough to meet your future retirement needs, you might want to join a club of contrarians: those who have decided to take matters into their own hands. Literally. Self-directed IRAs are billed as "putting the 'I' back in IRA." They let individuals determine what, when and where to invest their retirement money. And they are catching on — in no small part thanks to the stock market's volatility and the real estate market's recent riches."

Los Angeles Times - "The Sunday Morning Interest Rate Roundup" (6-24-07)

"Good Morning. Freddie Mac had 30-year fixed rates averaging 6.69% last week, down slightly from the week before. Without further ado, our random roundup on rates: Conrad De Aenlle writes in The New York Times: "No change in key interest rates is foreseen when the Fed meets on Thursday. The federal funds rate stands at 5.25 percent." The real news will be the Fed's statement, and what hints it gives about whether the Fed is leaning toward higher rates or lower rates."

Yahoo - "Global property investment at a turning point" (6-24-07)

"Global real estate investment is still buoyant but a few cracks are starting to show as higher borrowing costs begin to bite, making 2007 a pivotal year after an extended bull run in property prices. Future trends will be a key theme for top executives from the world's property industry at the Reuters Real Estate Summit, which is being held in London, New York and Singapore on June 25-27."