Today’s news contained a number of stories speculating on what the proposed bailout system would be (and it should be noted almost all stressed no government official feels this is a true bailout–those able to afford higher payments and homeowners seriously at risk likely won’t be helped.) Here’s what we knew this morning about the plan: It Has Tentative Support. Office of Thrift Supervision Director John Reich said on Monday that U.S. banking regulators are in agreement about a plan to modify subprime mortgages, Reuters reports. Reich said he’s up for freezing the rates for at least three years. The…

It’s not many days we get to link to a newspaper commentary that ends with an attribution like "The writer is heir to the British throne" — so Out and About couldn’t resist sharing Prince Charles’ thoughts on climate issues, published today in the Financial Times. The prince wrote about a climate recommendation that the Corporate Leaders Group on Climate Change prepared yesterday for the group of world leaders that are scheduled to meet next week in Bali to discuss that very issue. And the 150 U.S., European, Chinese and Australian businesses in the CLGCC — what the prince called…

The number of cities with green building programs has increased 418 percent since 2003. In just four years–wow. Think about it: 418 percent. That’s an increase from 22 to 92, according to the American Institute of Architects, who recently paid for a study of areas with more than 50,000 residents to find out how effective green building policies are. The report, Local Leaders in Sustainability, analyzed 661 communities, according to the online Dexigner publication. We knew cities were signing on to green building — not only have numerous cities tried to establish green building codes, the summer U.S. Conference of…

Following the National Association of Realtors’ data release, today the Commerce Department unveiled its October housing information — and it paints an interesting picture. Home sales were up 1.7 percent last month. Median home prices dropped 8.6 percent from the month prior and is down 13 percent compared to the same time last year (its sharpest drop since September 1981). New home inventories fell (one area in which a decline is a good thing!) 2.3 percent to from a nine-month supply to an 8.5 supply in October. Some industry experts think the sales increase is linked to builders who are…

The National Association of Realtors has released its data on October home sales, and the results are — despite the group’s trademark positive outlook — really somewhat disappointing. Pre-owned home sales hit their lowest point ever; so did home prices. October, in fact, marked the eighth consecutive month home sales dropped, according to CNNMoney.com. Some more "highlights:" Single-Family Homes Suffered. The annual pace of single-family home sales in October was 4.37 million, the same as September. However, September showed the lowest annual pace since early 1998 — so holding steady was nothing to celebrate. Condos Aren’t in the Clear. The…

We all know the U.S. housing market is rocky — but does the rest of the world feel that way? Maybe not. As the subprime crisis threatens international banks, some other countries have expressed interest in investing in U.S. commercial and other markets. Building comes in waves — and some may be ready to ride it out. Curious? Some suggested reading:Real Estate Has More Appeal Outside the U.S.: Jane Bryant Quinn  British Real Estate Investor Sees Potential in U.S. After Subprime Crisis

The city of Portland is premiering a new green building initiative — and it’s just one phone call away. The green building hotline was designed to give businesses, developers and residents information about green materials, indoor air quality, energy efficiency and more, according to GreenBuildings.com. The hotline also helps by offering information about financial incentives for residential and commercial buildings, new or pre-existing. Why did Portland set up its green hotline? A month ago, a report about green building’s economic pluses commissioned by several Portland agencies was released. The report was made to kick-start conversation in the Portland building industry…

As the October housing numbers trickle in, residential building and construction industry reports from areas around the country can provide a snapshot of what the various regions are experiencing as the housing slump drags on. And on. And … say it with me … on. Some recent state results include: Utah — New home demand along Utah’s Wasatch Front hit its lowest level in 17 years last month, according to a new Construction Monitor report. Builders took out just 530 single-family home permits, down from 1,186 in October 2006, the Salt Lake Tribune reports. Pennsylvania — Pittsburgh’s October residential building…

The Commerce Department today released its October new residential construction data today. We’re all looking for proof that the housing decline has hit its lowest point and will begin a correction. But was today’s news indicative of that? Well, the report contained some good news: After falling in September, housing starts set at an annual pace of 1.229 million units in October. That’s their biggest monthly increase (3 percent) since February — and a surprise to many economists who had said they were anticipating a decline. Single-family housing completions in October were 2.8 percent above the September figure of 1,127,000….

The National Association of Homebuilders’ housing index was released this afternoon, and it revealed what many expected: As home prices decline and mortgage restrictions increase, homebuilders are not feeling good about the industry. The Financial Times reported this morning that industry experts expected that the NAHB housing index — compiled from a monthly survey in which builders rate aspects of the housing situation as good, fair or poor — would set a new low point of 17 (compared with 19, the revised number from October). However, the reading stayed at 19. Some thoughts: Yay And Nay: A consistent reading is…