Back to location, location, location [Southern California]

Back to location, location, location [Southern California] The real estate boom endures in parts of the state, including cities east of San Francisco and some near L.A. The great real estate boom is dead. Buyers can check out dozens of houses without dreading that they suddenly will be priced out of a delirious market. Sellers …

Some condo builders remain bullish [South Florida]

Some condo builders remain bullish [South Florida] Insiders think the middle market, around $400,000, still has life left in it. “The real estate market has its ups and downs, but we have a positive outlook,” said Brad West of Far West Properties, part of a group unveiling plans for Villas on Grove, 16 townhomes in …

Lee families bitter over builder [South Florida]

Lee families bitter over builder [South Florida] RL Homes goes broke, won’t finish 120 projects Ken Smith’s family should have celebrated Thanksgiving in their new Lehigh home. Instead, Smith, his wife, Barbara Pandoff, 35, and boys Adam, 14 and Cayleb, 5, remain in a two-bedroom Fort Myers apartment where mom and dad sleep on a …

Only the Strongest Survive [New York City]

Only the Strongest Survive [New York City] Although qualifying to rent an apartment in New York City is not yet as tough as winning admission to Harvard or Yale, it increasingly feels that way to a large contingent of aspiring tenants — even if they actually attended Harvard or Yale and easily passed muster with …

Wal-Mart construction sends land prices soaring [Central Florida]

Wal-Mart construction sends land prices soaring Since construction of a Wal-Mart Supercenter began across the street, Debbie Leahy has been bombarded with offers to buy her home. For-sale signs dot her neighbors’ lots and line the rural highway. And she can’t go into town without being asked, “Have you sold yet?” or told the latest …

Wealth gap swallows up American dream [South Florida]

Wealth gap swallows up American dream [South Florida] In the luxurious neighborhood of Port Royal, home to the likes of mystery writer Janet Evanovich and mutual fund magnate John Donahue, homeowners are insulated from many of life’s daily cares — including the real estate slump. This year, 15 estates in the country club community have …