Thursday, March 29, 2012

Housing News Digest, March 29

Air Force's Energy Efficient Housing In Colorado's Tierra Vista Development Defies Stereotypes

Barring the notable exception that it sits in close proximity to NORAD, the subdivision looks like pretty much every other suburban creature built in the last 10 years. Winding roads dead-end in cul-de-sacs surrounded by three and four-bedroom homes, their paint colors most likely named after desert pastels like "sage" and "sandstone taupe."

Carbondale deed-restriction changes on hold
CARBONDALE, Colorado — The town's trustees are worried that changes proposed for the rules at one affordable housing complex, Keator Grove, might spell disaster for other such projects or for the town's overall affordable housing guidelines.

So the board of trustees will sit down at a work session in May to review the relevant town codes and other documents, before turning back to the Keator Grove situation.

PitCo spends $1.86M on Eagle Co. open space; neighbors object to uses
The Pitkin County commissioners on Wednesday unanimously approved spending $1.86 million for the purchase of 145 acres of open space in Eagle County, as objections and concerns from neighbors emerged.

The county will use input from neighbors of the midvalley property to shape a management plan for it, which may include new access to trails on the Crown, a large recreation area at the base of Mt. Sopris, as well as community farming opportunities.

Sisters of Charity to Move Headquarters to Colorado
Wood: Economic-development officials say that this move really solidifies Denver and Colorado’s position as a center for the health-care industry, and as a center for corporate headquarters. Beyond that, this sizeable number of jobs will benefit the retail, hospitality and real estate industries. Not only are sizable chunks of commercial office space being absorbed, but this will give a shot in the arm to the housing market as well.

CoreLogic: U.S. foreclosure rate holds steady in February
The nation's monthly pile of completed foreclosures stayed tall in February, barely moving to 65,000 from 66,000 a year earlier and from 71,000 in January.

Data released by CoreLogic ($16.32 -0.08%) shows the 50 states completed 862,000 foreclosures in the 12 months ending in February. Since the beginning of the financial crisis in September 2008, about 3.4 million properties have been through foreclosure