Probe: Congressmen, Fannie and Freddie execs got sweet Countrywide loans

The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee says the mortgage-maker cut deals for influential officials through its "Friends of Angelo" program.

By Ron Gallagher • July 5, 2012

Calif. governor's signature expected on homeowners' 'Bill of Rights'

Gov. Jerry Brown says the package of bills sent for his signature is a good idea, but did not say when he would sign it into law.

By Ron Gallagher • July 5, 2012

Lending groups warn 3 California municipalities against eminent domain loan-takings

Using eminent domain powers to take troubled mortgages from investors and protect homeowners would damage lending, banking interests said.

By Ron Gallagher • July 2, 2012

MERS recording system wins over Fla. clerk in suit

A federal judge says counties in Florida cannot collect fees when Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems Inc. records changes in assigments.

By Ron Gallagher • July 2, 2012

AGC analysis: feds missed widely on cost of hiring quotas

Associated General Contractors of America looked at what it thinks it would cost contractors to meet hiring quotas proposed for federal government projects.

By Ron Gallagher • June 30, 2012

Highway funding bill approved in the House

$120 billion highway bill gets through the House with 373-52 vote.

By Brian Warmoth • June 29, 2012

FHFA rapped for position on energy-efficiency programs for homes

A green-building consultant says the FHFA is being too conservative and is hurting programs to finance home energy-efficiency efforts.

By Ron Gallagher • June 29, 2012

VA is pushing Brasfield & Gorrie on Orlando hospital

The Department of Veterans Affairs and Brasfield & Gorrie disagree about the realities of demands in building a hospital in Orlando.

By Ron Gallagher • June 28, 2012

Arizona Tribe at Odds with U.S. House Over Casino

A bill to prevent construction of a $184-million resort/casino in Arizona passed the House.

By Lindsey Smith • June 27, 2012

Hot Weather Leads to Construction Worker Death in Arizona

Worker death at Costco jobsite is a stark reminder to watch for signs of heat-related illness.

By Lindsey Smith • June 27, 2012

NWP Services Corporation and Spherexx.com® Form Strategic Alliance to Increase Yield Per Unit for Apartment Communities

NWP Services Corporation (NWP) and Spherexx.com announced a strategic alliance to provide improved rent yield options and payment services to apartment communities nationwide that will generate increased revenue for property owners and managers.

By Lindsey Smith • June 27, 2012

Plagued With Lawsuits, UCSF Adopts Lean Construction

Lean construction is taking hold in the public sector due to its ability to shave costs and time off of complex projects.

By Lindsey Smith • June 27, 2012

GAO says OSHA standard-setting process takes 15 months to 19 years

An audit by the General Accountability Office looked at the regulatory hurdles OSHA faces as well as internal decisions that can change priorities.

By Ron Gallagher • June 26, 2012

Indiana problem: Eroding gasoline-tax revenue means eroding streets

Local governments and state lawmakers see gasoline tax revenue falling and road projects taking the hit.

By Ron Gallagher • June 22, 2012

Fla. counties take Fannie, Freddie to court for excise taxes

All 67 counties want class-action status in a suit that says Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are companies and have to fork over excise tax on property sales.

By Ron Gallagher • June 21, 2012

Toll Bros. settles water-pollution case brought by federal agencies

The government alleged that the home builder repeatedly violated Clean Water Act provisions governing stormwater runoff.

By Ron Gallagher • June 20, 2012

Taking a bite out of urban crime puts money in homeowners' pockets

Analyzing data collected for eight cities, economists demonstrated that reducing crime raises the values of homes in an area.

By Ron Gallagher • June 20, 2012

Foreclosures rise on Fannie and Freddie loans

Starts on foreclosures on the government-held home mortgages went up in the first quarter for the first time since the process was frozen in 2010.

By Ron Gallagher • June 18, 2012

Backing out of a botched home-building job

Can buyers back out of a new-home contract if they believe workers are doing a sloppy job?

By Ron Gallagher • June 15, 2012

HUD’s Donovan: Congress needs to act to restore housing market

Obama appointee says administration's plans can help create jobs in home building.

By Ron Gallagher • June 8, 2012

AGC recommends improvements to government's proposed Form I-9

The contractors' organization says changes suggested so far are good, but it has others to offer.

By Ron Gallagher • June 7, 2012

Odebrecht sues Florida over anti-Cuba law on state contracts

Florida is blocking any contractors that have business interests in Cuba, and Brazil-based Oderbrecht works all over Latin America.

By Ron Gallagher • June 7, 2012

Tensions flare over stuck Silicon Valley project

The dispute about Sunnyvale Town Center includes as basic an issue as who owns the project property, and it has gone to court.

By Ron Gallagher • June 6, 2012

House spending bills include controversial provisions on PLAs, Clean Water Act

Working out budget numbers provides opportunities to advance policy agendas, or block them.

By Ron Gallagher • June 6, 2012

OSHA tags N.J. contractor with $108K fine for scaffolding

Three workers from the company were on-site when OSHA inspected and ruled that there was insufficient planking and support.

By Ron Gallagher • June 5, 2012