Material Costs May Impact New Construction

Building material costs are escalating according to the Associated General Contractors of America. Higher material costs and interest rates could have a significant impact on new residential and commercial properties in 2006.

Price increases for copper and brass rose 21%, asphalt 18%, gypsum products 15%, plastic construction products 13% and concrete materials 10% between October 2004 and October 2005. Add to these increases a 51% rise in the cost of diesel fuel, which affects a significant number of machines from cranes to bulldozers, dump trucks, concrete mixers and construction material delivery.

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Recognizing Mortgage Fraud

By: Asst. U.S. District Attorney Gale McKenzie

To help you identify potentially illegal mortgage fraud activities, we've outlined the following paper drafted by Assistant United States District Attorney Gale McKenzie, which discusses fraud schemes frequently used by fraudsters and their coconspirators.

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Immigrants Admitted to Minnesota

Discussions of diversity and how Minnesota's population is changing in part do to immigration are reflected in numbers released by the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration/Naturalization Service. The period reported spans over twenty years (1982-2004). Below is a graph illustrating the numbers admitted to Minnesota.

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Fighting for Realtors® Rights

NAR Responds to DOJ/FTC activities on industry competition

Real estate is a competitive/collaborative industry with significant service difference between companies. REALTORS® from across the nation understand that on one side of the business you promote your clients best interest through work with other REALTORS®. On the other hand you compete fiercely to obtain listings and buyer loyalty. It is an industry with many highs and many lows.

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