The FINANCIAL -- Most Americans like the idea of providing tax credits for first-time home buyers but are less enthusiastic when the price tag is included. They strongly oppose expanding it to existing homeowners, although Congress did just that this week.

The FINANCIAL -- The National Association of Realtors on November 5 commended the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives for passing a bill that includes an extension and expansion of the current home buyer tax credit as an important step in ensuring a real estate and economic recovery.

The FINANCIAL -- Many of today’s consumers want homes and communities that are sensitive to the larger environment, and Realtors are responding to meet this growing demand.

The FINANCIAL -- According to mortgage lender Halifax's monthly index, that was published on November 3, British house prices rose 1.2 percent in October.  Halifax says that it is the fourth monthly increase in a row.