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Facebook Tweet LinkedIn Google Plus Email Related Wally Charnoff's RentRange, the Data King of Rental Housing As Home Prices Rise, Consumer 'Wealth Effect' May Be Smaller Wall Street Wants You to Become a Landlord Housing Recovery Checked by Cost Increases, Labor Shortages Investors Turn Atlanta’s Foreclosed Homes Into Rentals The Rental Concierge Springs Up in San Francisco

By NICK TIMIRAOS and ALAN ZIBEL Construction of new homes fell in April amid a big drop in the volatile apartment sector. But building permits hit their highest levels in nearly five years, a sign that the housing rebound—while choppy—still appears to be on course. Housing starts fell 16.5% in April to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 853,000 units, the lowest level since last November b

WASHINGTON -- Are large numbers of homeowners who have negotiated short sales with lenders at risk because of a startling omission in the American credit system? Do their credit reports and scores indicate that they were foreclosed upon, rather than having negotiated a mutually agreeable resolution with their lender? The answer appears to be yes, and last week two federal agencies -- the Federal

Q: I've not seen fracking addressed in your column but I understand that doesn't mean you haven't! Most homeowners do not know their home insurance does not cover fracking, even if they have earthquake coverage, because it would be "man-made" earthquake/earth movement. Can you please comment on how homeowners can protect themselves? A: Thanks for your comment. Homeowners' insurance po

Average U.S. rates on fixed mortgages rose this week but stayed near their historic lows. Cheaper mortgages have helped the economy by spurring more home-buying and refinancing. Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac says the average rate for the 30-year loan increased to 3.51 percent from 3.42 percent last week. That's still near the average of 3.31 percent reached in November, the lowest on records dating