USA Today: Home sales contracts rise 2% in Jan.

http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/housing/story/2012-02-27/january-pending-home-sales/53268806/1

Home sales contracts rise 2% in Jan.
By Derek Kravitz, Associated Press

WASHINGTON – The number of Americans who signed contracts to buy homes rose in January to the highest level in nearly two years, supporting the view that the housing market is gradually coming back.

USA Today: Business economists see continued slow growth overall

http://www.usatoday.com/money/story/2012-02-27/business-economists-forecast/53268208/1

Business economists see continued slow growth overall
By Samantha Bomkamp, Associated Press

NEW YORK – Economists are increasingly confident that some pillars of the U.S. economy will improve this year, but they remain cautious in their expectations on the overall pace of economic growth.

CNNMoney: Debt ceiling fight may come sooner than expected

http://money.cnn.com/2012/02/27/news/economy/debt_ceiling/index.htm

America's Debt Challenge
Debt ceiling fight may come sooner than expected
By Jeanne Sahadi @CNNMoney February 27, 2012: 6:24 AM ET

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Remember the bitter debt ceiling debate in Washington last summer? The one that resulted in the first-ever downgrade of the U.S. credit rating?

Fortune: Buffett on housing: Was "dead wrong," but still believes

http://finance.fortune.cnn.com/2012/02/25/buffett-on-housing/?iid=HP_LN

Buffett on housing: Was "dead wrong," but still believes
By Stephen Gandel, senior editor February 25, 2012: 8:00 AM ET

Warren Buffett says "hormones" will save the housing market. But this time he's not saying exactly when.

FORTUNE -- In his annual letter to Berkshire Hathaway (BRKA) shareholders, which was released on Saturday, Buffett says he still believes a real estate recovery is on the horizon. Yet, the Oracle of Omaha admits that on housing his crystal ball has been cloudy. Last year, Buffett said the real estate market would recover in 2011 or early 2012. While home sales have risen recently, it would be a stretch to call the past year a recovery, and Buffett doesn't try. "I was dead wrong," he writes.

Bloomberg: Sales of New Homes in the U.S. Probably Climbed to Highest in Nine Months

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-02-24/sales-of-new-homes-in-u-s-probably-increased-to-highest-in-nine-months.html

Sales of New Homes in the U.S. Probably Climbed to Highest in Nine Months
By Shobhana Chandra - 2012.02.23 09:01 PM

Purchases of new homes in the U.S. probably rose in January to a nine-month high, more evidence the housing market is improving, economists said before a report today.

WSJ: Europe Economies Contract

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204880404577224363238679298.html?mod=rss_economy

EUROPE NEWS
FEBRUARY 16, 2012
Europe Economies Contract
Germany, Others Saw Fourth-Quarter Decline but Drops Were Smaller Than Expected

By BRIAN BLACKSTONE

FRANKFURT—Economic activity fell across much of the debt-plagued euro zone in the final quarter of 2011, with contractions stretching from fragile Greece to mighty Germany.

Reuters: Foreclosure abuse rampant across U.S., experts say

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/02/17/us-usa-housing-defaults-idUSTRE81G04M20120217

Foreclosure abuse rampant across U.S., experts say
By Tim Reid
LOS ANGELES | Thu Feb 16, 2012 8:57pm EST

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A report this week showing rampant foreclosure abuse in San Francisco reflects similar levels of lender fraud and faulty documentation across the United States, say experts and officials who have done studies in other parts of the country.

Bloomberg: U.S. Stocks Rise on Economic Data

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-02-16/u-s-stock-futures-fall-as-moody-s-puts-bank-of-america-goldman-on-review.html


U.S. Stocks Rise on Economic Data
By Rita Nazareth - Feb 17, 2012 6:37 AM GMT+0900

U.S. stocks advanced, sending the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index near the highest level in about three years, amid better-than-estimated economic reports and optimism that Greece will receive a second bailout.

CNNMoney: Home buying: Most affordable in decades

http://money.cnn.com/2012/02/15/real_estate/housing_affordability/index.htm?iid=HP_River

Home buying: Most affordable in decades
By Les Christie @CNNMoney February 16, 2012: 10:05 AM ET

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Buying a home is now more affordable than it has been in the last twenty years.

Bloomberg: Multifamily Buildings to Lead U.S. Construction Gains: Economy

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-02-13/multifamily-buildings-to-lead-u-s-construction-gains-this-year-economy.html

Related News: Economy · U.S. · Real Estate
Multifamily Buildings to Lead U.S. Construction Gains: Economy
By Bob Willis - 2012.02.13 07:46 AM

Construction of multifamily units will lead the U.S. building industry again this year, allowing housing to contribute to growth for the first time in seven years, according to economists Michelle Meyer and Celia Chen.