(GREEN BUILDING) Homebuilders Rally against Clean Energy Legislation:  Despite its own pronounced movement toward green building, the National Association of Home Builders is the latest opponent to ambitious climate control legislation generating debate on Capitol Hill.  Read More   07/02/2009 4:46 PM

(MAKING HOME AFFORDABLE) Key Obama Housing Effort Gets Expanded:  The "Making Home Affordable" refinance program supported by the Obama administration gets a fresh boost in the form of relaxed eligibility standards.   Read More   07/02/2009 4:12 PM

(TAX CREDITS) States Awarded $1 Billion in HUD TCAP Funds:  HUD approves plans to produce thousands of affordable housing units by 26 state housing agencies using a tax credit mechanism created in the most recent economic stimulus package.  Read More   07/02/2009 2:02 PM

(STRATEGIES) KB Home Pushing Forward With Smaller Homes:  KB Home appears to be positioning itself to become one of the nation's strongest publicly-traded homebuilder, thanks to plenty of on-hand capital and an innovative new product line.   Read More   07/01/2009 5:21 PM

(APPLICATIONS) Mortgage Activity Swings to Decrease:  Volatility is apparent in weekly statistics tracking mortgage demand, as applications fall sharply for the week ending June 26.   Read More   07/01/2009 4:50 PM

(SALES) Pending Home Sales Up Again -- Slightly:  There is a slight increase is noted in monthly research tracking future home sales, says the National Association of Realtors.   Read More   07/01/2009 4:49 PM

(COUNSELING) Virginia Officials Providing $50,000 in Foreclosure Counseling Grants:  Virginia officials are distributing $50,000 in money to nonprofits providing foreclosure relief counseling, the money coming to the state as a result of a court settlement with Countrywide Financial Corporation.  Read More   07/01/2009 2:09 PM

(HOME PRICES) Home Prices Down, Losses Slowing:  Standard & Poor's highlights that home price values are decreasing at a slower rate than in previous months, though the losses remain historically high.  Read More   06/30/2009 8:16 PM

(LEGISLATION) Frank Assures Passage of Bill Authorizing New Consumer Agency:  House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank (D-MA) virtually guarantees that legislation establishing a new consumer watchdog, as proposed by the Obama administration, will pass the House prior to the summer recess.  Read More   06/30/2009 5:59 PM

(SUPREME COURT) Troubles Coming for Lenders in Wake of Supreme Court Decision:  Though largely being championed as a victory for consumers, a June 29 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Cuomo v. Clearing House Association allowing states to enforce lending and fair housing laws could be rife with unintended consequences.   Read More   06/30/2009 5:39 PM