Friday, March 18, 2011

Housing News Digest, March 18

US Cost of Living Hits Record, Passing Pre-Crisis High
A special index created by the Labor Department to measure the actual cost of living for Americans hit a record high in February, according to data released Thursday, surpassing the old high in July 2008. The Chained Consumer Price Index, released along with the more widely-watched CPI, increased 0.5 percent to 127.4, from 126.8 in January. In July 2008, just as the housing crisis was tightening its grip, the Chained Consumer Price Index hit its previous record of 126.9.

Colorado Medical Marijuana: HUD Says MMJ Policies Up To Local Housing Authorities
A Colorado-based non-profit has received a statement from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) making it clear that local housing authorities themselves are responsible for determining policies regarding medical marijuana use by recipients of federal housing assistance.

Lind auction draws crowd but bids generally low
LOVELAND - A large gathering of bargain hunters turned out for one of the biggest land auctions ever held in Northern Colorado on March 17, but bids on 32 properties offered by Windsor developer Martin Lind were generally low.

The auction, conducted by J.P. King auction house, drew more than 400 bidders and onlookers to the Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center, with a reported 117 registered bidders.

Brothers pays $5.1 million for apartment
The nonprofit housing agency Brothers Redevelopment paid $5.1 million for the 81-unit William Tell apartment community in Uptown, continuing itss efforts to provide affordable housing available for low-income and disabled residents.

Brothers leveraged a $917,500 grant from the Mennonite Housing Development Corp. and worked with FirstBank and Funding Partners to purchase the 47-year-old building at 1599 Williams St. The building includes studios and one- and two-bedroom subsidized units for qualified low-income tenants.

RE/MAX: February home sales down 3%
February home sales dropped 3% from one year ago, but increased from January, according to the RE/MAX national housing report.

It's the first time in four months that the yearly difference did not improve from the previous month.