Real Estate
Web sites give voyeurs view of neighborhood safety
I have no reason to feel unsafe in my neighborhood, but I appear to be surrounded by dozens of people convicted of everything from theft and sex crimes to public drunkenness and speeding.
Single-family building dips to slowest in 17 years
A beat-the-deadline rush to file permits for apartment construction in New York City lifted housing starts to unexpectedly high levels in June, but it was no cause for rejoicing. Construction of single-family homes nationwide fell to the slowest pace in 17 years.
Bernanke: Fannie, Freddie in no danger of failing
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke told Congress Wednesday that troubled mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are in "no danger of failing."
Administration presses for mortgage giant rescue
The Bush administration lobbied skeptical lawmakers Wednesday to support a rescue plan for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, as lawmakers weighed how to protect taxpayers while still giving the government unfettered power to pour money into the mortgage giants.
FBI probes possible home-loan fraud at IndyMac
The FBI is investigating failed bank IndyMac Bancorp Inc. for possible fraud, an official said Wednesday of the government's latest target following the collapse of the nation's subprime mortgage market.
Democrats to insist on housing grants
House Democrats, moving to accomplish a top priority in exchange for quick approval of the Bush administration's urgent rescue plan for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, intend to tie it to $3.9 billion in grants for neighborhoods hit hardest by foreclosures.
Fannie-Freddie lifeline puts taxpayers on the hook
Now that the federal government has thrown a lifeline to mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, taxpayers could be on the hook for billions more if the crisis of confidence spreads.
National City plunges amid broad bank fears
Shares of National City Corp. plunged Monday amid broad fears about the health of the nation's regional banks, and the company was forced to issue a statement reassuring investors of its soundness.
Freddie Mac auction draws plenty of bidders
Freddie Mac attracted more bidders Monday for a highly anticipated auction of $3 billion in short-term securities than it had nearly all year, a day after the federal government provided support for the mortgage giant.
Housing rescue on fast track in Congress
Congressional leaders as soon as next week plan to add a lifeline for troubled mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to a housing bill aimed at saving up to 400,000 homeowners from foreclosure.
Fed adopts plan to curb shady mortgage practices
For Roxanna Evans, the Fed's new rules to crack down on abusive lending practices, approved Monday, came too late.
US spells out Fannie-Freddie backstop plan
Scrambling to bolster eroding investor confidence, the Federal Reserve and the Treasury Department announced unprecedented steps to brace slumping mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
Fed adopts plan to curb shady mortgage practices
The Federal Reserve has adopted rules to give home buyers more protection from the types of shady lending practices that have contributed to the housing crisis and propelled foreclosures to record highs.
Stocks end lower amid worries on Fannie, Freddie
Wall Street's angst over the ongoing fallout from the credit crisis made for a turbulent end to a volatile week Friday - stocks tumbled, soared and then turned south again as investors tried to assess the dangers faced by the country's biggest mortgage financiers, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
Government shuts down mortgage lender IndyMac
IndyMac Bank's assets were seized by federal regulators on Friday after the mortgage lender succumbed to the pressures of tighter credit, tumbling home prices and rising foreclosures.
Analysis: A new financial crisis at the worst time
The last thing the Bush White House and the rest of the country needed in these economically trying times was another financial crisis. But they got one.
Washington, Wall St. weigh Fannie, Freddie help
Wall Street and Washington wrestled Friday with how to shore up mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, two troubled pillars of the economy whose failure would deal a devastating blow to the already crippled housing market.
Senate passes mortgage rescue plan
A mortgage rescue to help hundreds of thousands of struggling homeowners avoid foreclosure and get more affordable, safer loans passed the Senate overwhelmingly Friday, but it faces a bumpy road amid continuing turmoil in the housing market.
Real Estate Close-Up: Las Vegas
Las Vegas has the distinction of having one of the worst housing markets in the country. But now that slump, along with job losses and high fuel prices, is infecting Sin City's commercial real estate market, sending vacancies in all sectors sky high.
McCain: Mortgage giants can't be allowed to fail
Republican presidential candidate John McCain said Thursday the government cannot let mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac go under.