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Home-builder confidence rose in November, as they expect President-elect Donald Trump’s victory to usher in regulatory relief and pave the way for more construction. Sentiment rose for the third month in a row, as builders grew more confident in their ability to sell newly built homes. The National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) monthly confidence index rose 3 points, to 46 points in November, the industry group said on Monday. The November figure exceeded expectations on Wall Street. The NAHB index is also at the highest level since April. A year ago, the index stood at 34. Home builders were...

Homebuilder confidence surged in November as the election of Donald Trump and a Republican sweep of the House and Senate boosted optimism about the housing market. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) said its monthly confidence index rose to 46, the highest level since April. This was higher than even the most bullish forecasts and three points above the October level. The sentiment boost reflects builders’ beliefs that the incoming administration and its Republican allies on Capitol Hill will adopt policies to facilitate increased construction activity. “With the elections now in the rearview mirror, builders are expressing increasing confidence...

BEGIN TRANSCRIPT RUSH: Trump was in Miami today. He made a speech to the National Association of Home Builders. It's their annual midyear meeting. I have not seen this Donald Trump in a long time. This Donald Trump looked like he was on Valium compared to the Donald Trump we see each and every day. It's not a criticism. It was markedly different. It was low-key. It's still as powerful. He didn't shirk from what he was saying. It was simply the way he was saying things. Very, very low-key. No histrionics. Didn't go off on tangents as they occurred...

Thursday, August 11, 2016: Live stream coverage of Donald Trump’s address to the National Association of Home Builders Board of Directors Meeting. The event will take place in Miami, FL at the Sparkle Ballroom at Fontainebleau Miami. Live coverage begins at 10:30 AM ET Miami, FL Watch the live stream of the event below beginning at 10:30 AM ET: Sparkle Ballroom at Fontainebleau Miami Thursday, August 11, 2016: Live stream coverage of the Donald Trump for President rally in Kissimmee, FL at Silver Spurs Arena. Live coverage begins at 7:00 PM ET. Kissimmee, FL Watch the live stream of the...

Homebuilders are asking for up to $150 billion in the economic stimulus package being drafted by President-elect Obama’s administration and congressional Democrats. The National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) is working with 80 of its members to lobby lawmakers on their plan, which includes a mortgage foreclosure reduction effort, a homebuyer tax credit and a temporary program to reduce interest rates. “This ain’t the time to be subtle. There is not a congressman or senator on the Hill who is looking forward to talking to you," NAHB Chief Executive Officer Jerry Howard told homebuilders at a meeting Wednesday morning. Democrats have...

Investors who sought quick profits buying and selling real estate in the Washington region are in full retreat, dampening demand for homes, most notably for condos. What is becoming apparent, market watchers say, is how big a part speculators played in the region's real estate boom of the past few years. Not just condominiums, but also townhouses and single-family houses, were snapped up by investors using no-money-down financing and non-traditional loans. They helped send prices soaring at unprecedented rates. And now many are trying to sell, or rent at a loss. Some may eventually dump properties at low prices to...

A recent ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court regarding eminent domain has Realtors and others in the housing industry on alert as advocates for individual property rights. In what has been called a surprise ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court, in a 5-4 vote, sided with local government at the expense of private property owners in a highly visible case, Kelo v. New London, Conn. While the ruling is based on what is allowed in Connecticut law and doesn't set a federal standard, it has raised important property rights issues because it is viewed as weakening the definition of "public use."...

<p>The federal government wants to set aside 1.2 million acres of public and private Arizona land as critical habitat for 18 endangered pygmy owls, a move critics say threatens development of the land for private business and public recreation.</p> <p>Designating the Tucson land as a critical habitat for the tiny creatures, which span 6 inches and weigh 2 pounds, is necessary because they live in an area facing rapid growth and development, said Maeveen Behan, project director for Pima County.</p>