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Does my house have the wrong roof?

By Bill and Kevin Burnett, Wednesday, February 18, 2009.

Q: In 1988, we had a new roof installed with 40-year limited warranty fiberglass shingles put over our gravel roof. While the roofers were working, dry rot was discovered in the kitchen, and we had it repaired.  more...

Downsizing in a down market

By Tom Kelly, Wednesday, February 18, 2009.

It's been a different winter than usual this year. Roofs have collapsed under the weight of our country's surprising snows. (A white dusting in Las Vegas? Really.) Violent flooding has moved foundations and deposited debris never seen before on lakeside lots and creekside properties.

The repair and maintenance on primary residences has been expensive for many. And, the thought of keeping a weekend getaway in a down economy can really hit home if the kids are grown and no longer around to do the heavy lifting.  more...

Loan-mod plan has carrots, sticks Premium Content

By Matt Carter, Wednesday, February 18, 2009.
Flickr photo by <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/thetruthabout/3190643332/" target=blank>TheTruthAbout...</a>.

The Obama administration's $275 billion plan to help up to 9 million families restructure or refinance their mortgages offers carrots for borrowers and lenders, including incentive payments and partial guarantees against losses for lenders who agree to modify loans.

But the administration is also seeking a stick: granting bankruptcy judges the power to modify the terms of mortgages when borrowers end up in their courts, regardless of whether lenders agree to go along.  more...

Natural selection and real estate change Premium Content

By Kris Berg, Wednesday, February 18, 2009.
Flickr photo by <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/pagedooley/1856663523/" target=blank>kevindooley</a>.

I may live in San Diego, but I have a down coat. I have several actually, but only one I really wear. And wear it, I do. It has gotten so much use over the years that it has begun to spring leaks. First, fuzzy white stuff started appearing at one sleeve. "Nothing a little duct tape can't handle," I decided, vowing to find a more permanent solution someday when I had a needle and an inclination.

But what started as some minor molting has become full-blown failure. No number of thoughtfully applied swatches of silver tape can make it stop.  more...

DOJ, MLS seek quick judgment in antitrust suit Premium Content

By Glenn Roberts Jr., Wednesday, February 18, 2009. The federal government and a multiple listing service in Columbia, S.C., on Tuesday filed motions seeking a pre-trial judgment to resolve an antitrust lawsuit filed in May 2008.

The U.S. Justice Department claims, in its motion for summary judgment filed Tuesday, that CMLS has "employed a variety of methods ... to restrict entry by and competition from undesired innovative competitors."  more...

Builder confidence still sagging

By Inman News, Wednesday, February 18, 2009.

Homebuilder sentiment rose slightly in February above a record low reported in January, according to a National Association of Home Builders-Wells Fargo Housing Market Index report released Tuesday.

The index, which is based on builders' response to a set of survey questions and is more than 20 years old, remained in single digits for the fourth straight month in February, rising to nine -- an index score below 50 indicates that more builders view sales conditions as poor than good.  more...