KnowledgePlex News http://www.knowledgeplex.org A comprehensive news, tools and information resource for the affordable housing and community development field. Powered by KnowledgePlex, Inc. en-us Copyright 2010, KnowledgePlex Fri, 19 Mar 2010 09:01:00 -0400 Fri, 19 Mar 2010 09:01:00 -0400 cds-feedback@knowledgeplex.org U.S. sounds warning on healthcare costs http://www.knowledgeplex.org/news/3110096.html Federal government could be paying more than half of tab next year In a stark reminder of growing costs, the government estimated today that health care consumed a record 17.3 percent of all spending in the U.S. economy last year - or about $2.5 trillion. Home energy retrofits: The bottom line http://www.knowledgeplex.org/news/3110089.html Investing to make your home more energy efficient may lower the bills, but it may not boost its price, partly because these investments aren't fully valued by appraisers. Tick, tock: Real estate's time bomb http://www.knowledgeplex.org/news/3110086.html Luckily for banks, the commercial real estate time bomb just keeps on ticking. Consumers pay credit cards over mortgage http://www.knowledgeplex.org/news/3110070.html When faced with a financial crisis, consumers more often are opting to pay their credit-card bills first before turning to their mortgage payments, according to a report released by Trans Union Wednesday. Job reports paint mixed picture http://www.knowledgeplex.org/news/3110062.html A report Wednesday from Automatic Data Processing suggested that the pace of job cuts may be slowing, while a separate report from Challenger said planned layoffs hit a 5-month high in January. State of the Union: How will Obama tackle debt? http://www.knowledgeplex.org/news/3109738.html President Obama's State of the Union address will raise the curtain on how he plans to tackle the unsustainable growth in U.S. debt over the next decade. BofA steps up foreclosure prevention efforts http://www.knowledgeplex.org/news/3109735.html One roadblock slowing Obama's foreclosure prevention program seems to be clearing up. Bank of America, the nation's largest mortgage lender, announced Tuesday that it was the first lender to sign an agreement to lower or eliminate payments on second mortgages. America's most overvalued cities http://www.knowledgeplex.org/news/3109739.html Don't say we didn't warn you. December home sales down nearly 17 percent (AP) http://www.knowledgeplex.org/news/3109699.html AP - Sales of previously occupied homes took the largest monthly drop in more than 40 years last month, sinking more dramatically than expected after lawmakers gave buyers additional time to use a tax credit. Report: Fall in Las Vegas home prices reaches 39 months http://www.knowledgeplex.org/news/3109728.html Las Vegas home prices as tracked in a monthly nationwide report fell in November for the 39th consecutive month. Prices are down 55.6 percent from their peak, Standard & Poor's said. Handsome handout for homebuilders http://www.knowledgeplex.org/news/3109323.html Talk about cash for clunkers. When a home energy audit pays http://www.knowledgeplex.org/news/3109319.html The government is expected to unveil a new program in the next couple of months that if approved may reimburse homeowners for up to half the cost of making their homes more efficient, but don't start shopping for new kitchens just yet. Pending home sales slump, factory orders up (Reuters) http://www.knowledgeplex.org/news/3109297.html Reuters - Pending sales of previously owned U.S. homes fell sharply in November, but a surge in orders received by factories offered assurance the economic recovery remained on track. Homebuyers sign 16% fewer contracts http://www.knowledgeplex.org/news/3109295.html Homebuyers abandoned the market in droves during November: They signed 16% fewer sales contracts than the month before. Manhattan real estate: Get in while you can http://www.knowledgeplex.org/news/3109286.html Bonuses are making a comeback on Wall Street and that might help stabilize the Manhattan real estate market.