Congress giving homebuyers a big new tax break AP (November 05, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - Missed out on Cash for Clunkers? Congress has another deal for you: Buy a home before May 1 and collect up to $6,500 from the government. If you're a first-time homebuyer, get up to $8,000.
10 homes damaged in blast at nearby Utah refinery AP (November 05, 2009) SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - An explosion at a Utah oil refinery - the second this year - smashed windows, bent garage doors and peeled siding Wednesday from 10 nearby houses, officials said.
National Retail Properties gets new $400M loan AP (November 04, 2009) ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - Retail real estate investment trust National Retail Properties Inc. said Wednesday it has a new $400 million credit facility, which will replace one set to mature May 2010.
Pulte Homes posts $361.4M loss for Q3 AP (November 04, 2009) (AP) - Pulte Homes Inc. lost $361.4 million in the third quarter, but with the acquisition of Centex Corp., the homebuilder increased sales by more than a third.
Pulte Homes posts $361.4M loss for Q3 AP (November 04, 2009) (AP) - Pulte Homes Inc. lost $361.4 million in the third quarter, but with the acquisition of Centex Corp., the homebuilder's new orders increased by more than a third.
Martin Marietta posts 16 pct decline in 3Q profit AP (November 03, 2009) RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - Martin Marietta Materials Inc., a maker of construction materials, said Tuesday its third-quarter net income slid 16 percent as delays in infrastructure projects hurt revenue.
Fire strikes historic Vt. general store - again AP (November 03, 2009) PUTNEY, Vt. (AP) - When a fire destroyed the beloved, centuries-old Putney General Store 18 months ago, some people here cried.
September pending home sales rise 6.1 percent AP (November 02, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - The volume of signed contracts to buy previously occupied homes rose for the eighth straight month in September as buyers scrambled to take advantage of a tax credit for first-time owners that expires at the end of this month.
Kan., feds to meet on power lines construction AP (November 02, 2009) LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) - Kansas and federal energy policymakers will gather this week to discuss ways to remove barriers to the construction of electric transmission lines.
NJ towns move to preserve area, limit developments AP (November 02, 2009) TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - One of New Jersey's most significant environmental areas may soon get new protections that probably would limit development projects.
St. Joe Co. weathers recession by thinking big AP (November 02, 2009) SANTA ROSA BEACH, Fla. (AP) - Building along the Florida Panhandle's picturesque seaside slowed when financing dried up and the economy soured. Fences with architects' renderings of developments hide the unfinished eyesores dotting the beaches.
Bay Bridge closed through Friday evening commute AP (October 30, 2009) OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - Commuters confronted a third day of heavy congestion as officials kept the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge closed to finish emergency repairs.
Millions spent on small border stations justified AP (October 30, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - An internal Obama administration review supports its rationale for upgrading little-used border checkpoints rather than the busiest crossings.
Plans to rebuild damaged CCTV building under way AP (October 29, 2009) BEIJING (AP) - The chief architect for the landmark new headquarters for China's powerful state broadcaster said the part of the complex that burned in a massive fire earlier this year can be repaired and does not need to be torn down.
MoMA 82-story tower approved by NYC Council AP (October 29, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - A proposal for a new 82-story tower next to the Museum of Modern Art has cleared its final hurdle.
Nevada construction deaths prompt safety review AP (October 29, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - Federal officials will investigate workplace safety programs across the country after the deaths of 25 workers in construction accidents in Las Vegas over an 18-month period.
China, US's Harsco sign construction joint venture AP (October 28, 2009) HANGZHOU, China (AP) - Top U.S. trade officials visiting China for high level talks on nuts-and-bolts economic issues oversaw the signing Wednesday of a joint venture between major Chinese and U.
La. sells $200M in bonds for building projects AP (October 28, 2009) BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Louisiana sold $200 million in general obligation bonds to generate upfront cash to finance state construction projects, the first such bond sale since September 2006.
New home sales fall 3.6 percent AP (October 28, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - Sales of new homes dropped unexpectedly last month as the effects of a soon-to-expire tax credit for first-time owners started to wane.
Tenn. Appeals Court rules for Bible Park rezoning AP (October 27, 2009) MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (AP) - The Tennessee Court of Appeals at Nashville has ruled in favor of a rezoning that would allow a Bible-based theme park to be built in Rutherford County.
Johnson Controls posts 4Q profit, backs guidance AP (October 27, 2009) MILWAUKEE (AP) - Johnson Controls Inc. said Tuesday that cost cuts and operational improvements bolstered its profit in the fourth quarter, helping to offset the effects of the continued weak economy on its sales.
Analyst: Quiet storm season hurts Beacon Roofing AP (October 27, 2009) HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - The quiet hurricane season is bad for business at Beacon Roofing Supply Inc., and two branches extending its reach into new markets won't do much for sales, an analyst said Tuesday.
URS acquires engineering firm ForeRunner AP (October 26, 2009) SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - URS Corp., an engineering and construction company, said Monday it acquired ForeRunner Corp., an engineering and construction management company specializing in oil and gas industry projects.
US safety chief says China helping on drywall AP (October 26, 2009) BEIJING (AP) - China is helping American officials investigate reports of contaminated Chinese drywall after thousands of American homeowners complained the building material made them sick or damaged their houses, a top U.S. safety official said Monday.
Fla. insurer renews policy despite Chinese drywall AP (October 23, 2009) WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) - Florida's public insurance company reversed course this week and said it will cover a couple's Gulf Coast retirement home, after previously telling the homeowners their policy wouldn't be renewed because of the home's tainted Chinese drywall.
Home sales rise 9.4 pct in Sept., beats forecast AP (October 23, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - Racing to complete their purchases before a tax credit for first-time owners expires, homebuyers pushed sales up last month by the largest amount in more than 26 years.
Home sales rise 9.4 pct in Sept., beats forecast AP (October 23, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - Home resales rose in September to the highest level in more than two years, beating expectations, as buyers scrambled to complete their purchases before a tax credit for first-time owners expires.
Caterpillar 3Q profit drops 53 pct on weaker sales AP (October 20, 2009) (AP) - Caterpillar sees signs of a recovery and said its sales will improve next year as dealers start restocking the company's yellow-and-black equipment used in construction and mining.
Housing starts rise in Sept.; wholesale prices dip AP (October 20, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - Construction of new homes edged up slightly in September, helped by a rebound in single-family construction. But applications for building permits fell by the largest amount in five months, a worrisome sign for future housing work.
Arson blamed for destructive Calif wildfire AP (October 19, 2009) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - California fire officials say a summer blaze that destroyed 63 homes in the Sierra foothills was intentionally set.
Rates on 30-year loans inch up, to 4.92 percent AP (October 15, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - Rates for 30-year home loans have inched up, but remained below 5 percent for the third-straight week as government efforts to aid the housing market continued to keep rates low.
Green walls taking root in green building design AP (October 12, 2009) PITTSBURGH (AP) - The next big thing in green building design might be to turn an existing idea on its side. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. recently installed a green wall the size of two tennis courts on one side of its headquarters.