Latest draft of Denver zoning update to be released Tuesday - The third draft of Denver’s new, updated zoning code will be available to the public on Tuesday.  The draft of the new code will be available at www.newcodedenver.org.  The third draft includes “substantial input” from comments made regarding the second draft.  Listening sessions are scheduled to be held Wednesday, Nov. 18, 5:30-8:30 p.m. MST and Thursday, Nov. 19, 1-4 p.m.  After the listening sessions, the council, planning department and other code team members will continue to refine the code’s language, and expect to have a final draft on Dec. 22.  Public hearings will then be held Jan. 6 and on Feb. 22.  The council is also expected to vote on the bill implementing the new code on Feb. 22, and if the bill passes, the code will become a city law.
http://denver.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2009/11/02/daily20.html?s=industry&i=commercial_real_estate

Pinching Pennies on Construction - As buyers seek to pay less for new homes, builders are finding ways to economize.  Here are some ways in which builders cut costs, and the issues for the buyer to consider: 
1) 17-foot double garage - The recommended width is 20 feet.  Makes it harder to get in and out of cars.
2) Textured walls and ceilings - Hard to repaint and repair.
3) Smaller central air - It takes a long time to cool the home.
4) Advanced framing - Studies suggest that placing studs at 24-inch intervals rather than 16 doesn’t affect structural integrity. It leaves more room for insulation, which is a good thing.
5) Fixed windows - Not being able to open windows can be a huge inconvenience.

See full article for estimated savings to builder.
http://www.realtor.org/rmodaily.nsf/pages/News2009110206

Pinching Pennies on Construction - As buyers seek to pay less for new homes, builders are finding ways to economize.  Here are some ways in which builders cut costs, and the issues for the buyer to consider: 
1) 17-foot double garage - The recommended width is 20 feet.  Makes it harder to get in and out of cars.
2) Textured walls and ceilings - Hard to repaint and repair.
3) Smaller central air - It takes a long time to cool the home.
4) Advanced framing - Studies suggest that placing studs at 24-inch intervals rather than 16 doesn’t affect structural integrity. It leaves more room for insulation, which is a good thing.
5) Fixed windows - Not being able to open windows can be a huge inconvenience.

See full article for estimated savings to builder.
http://www.realtor.org/rmodaily.nsf/pages/News2009110206

Home sales contracts rise for 8th straight month - The number of signed sales contracts to buy homes rose in September for the eighth straight month.  The September Pending Home Sales Index from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) spiked 6.1% to 110.1.  The index hasn't been this high since December 2006, when it stood at 112.8.  The leap was far better than expected.  A panel of analysts surveyed by Briefing.com had forecast a 1.2% rise.  Analysts attribute much of the improvement to the government's first-time homebuyer tax credit program.  It's estimated that between 200,000 and 400,000 additional sales will have been made because of the credit.
http://money.cnn.com/2009/11/02/real_estate/September_sales_contracts/index.htm?postversion=2009110210

Bank regulators encouraging commercial real estate workouts - Federal bank regulators are urging lenders to modify troubled commercial real estate loans, which are of growing concern to bankers and examiners and a mounting threat to the industry.  The FDIC, the Federal Reserve, the Office of Thrift Supervision and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency issued guidance Friday stating that “prudent” workouts of commercial real estate loans are in the best interest of both banks and borrowers.  “The financial regulators recognize that financial institutions face significant challenges when working with commercial real estate (CRE) borrowers that are experiencing diminished operating cash flows, depreciated collateral values, or prolonged sales and rental absorption periods,” the policy statement said. “While CRE borrowers may experience deterioration in their financial condition, many continue to be creditworthy customers who have the willingness and capacity to repay their debts. In such cases, financial institutions and borrowers may find it mutually beneficial to work constructively together.”
http://denver.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2009/11/02/daily1.html?s=industry&i=commercial_real_estate