WCI Communities Inc. has survived a harrowing bankruptcy reorganization.
Now, it’s back in business.
The Bonita Springs-based developer filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection two years ago after a meteoric rise to the top of Southwest Florida’s homebuilding business. Its communities include Gulf Harbour, Gateway and Pelican Landing in Lee County.
Now, WCI president David Fry says the [...]

Mortgage rates fell this week to the lowest level on record, giving consumers added incentive to lock in low payments on home purchases and refinances.
Mortgage company Freddie Mac said Thursday that the average rate for 30-year fixed loans sank to 4.69 percent, from 4.75 percent last week.
That’s the lowest since Freddie Mac began tracking rates [...]

Prices on houses and condominiums on Sanibel and Captiva have dropped to their lowest levels in almost a decade.
And there are many for sale: more than 16 percent of properties on Captiva and 8 percent on Sanibel.
The sagging economy has finally caught up with the rich, and real estate experts wonder when the downward spiral [...]

Realtors in Southwest Florida say the oil spill isn’t chasing buyers away.
But renters may be another story. Bookings for vacation homes could suffer.
“I think people will drag their foot a little bit for next season, waiting to see what happens. I haven’t seen a lot of it yet. But that is something I’m kind of [...]

A federal judge’s recent ruling, that outlines the recommended protocol for fixing problems caused by defective Chinese drywall, provides, among other things, a gauge homeowners can use to evaluate contractors’ proposals, according to an attorney representing homeowners.
Allison Grant, a Boca Raton attorney who represents hundreds of Chinese drywall victims, notes that the April 8 ruling [...]

Home sales rose more than expected in March, reversing three months of declines, as government incentives drew in buyers and kicked off what’s expected to be a strong spring selling season.
Sales of previously occupied homes rose 6.8 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.35 million last month, the highest level since December, the [...]

The government launched a new effort today to speed up the time-consuming, often-frustrating process of selling your home if you owe more than it’s worth.
The Obama administration will give $3,000 for moving expenses to homeowners who complete such a sale — known as a short sale — or agree to turn over the deed of [...]

Selling your house if you owe more than it’s worth just got a lot easier if a plan launched by the Obama administration works out.
The new rules could also help reduce the glut of unsold houses that’s accumulated since the housing market collapsed in late 2005.
That’s what some Southwest Florida real estate professionals were saying [...]

A surprisingly strong rebound in California’s real estate market helped lift a key home price index for the eighth month in a row.
That is good news for people who plan to sell their homes this spring. Prices are now up almost 4 percent from the bottom in May 2009, though still almost 30 percent below [...]

Residents and guests who gather at The Miromar Lakes Beach Club say the clubhouse is a winning combination of design, amenities and architecture.
Now it’s official: The Beach Club recently was recognized as the nation’s best clubhouse with a Gold Award from the National Association of Home Builders.
There is something for everyone at the three-building, 41,000-square-foot [...]