Job growth key to home sales - 2004-01-07
Houston builders are not expected to equal in 2004 the record-setting sales pace of last year, but they won't be in financial straits either.

For home sales to match last year's pace, job growth will have to pick up significantly, Inselmann said. Houston lost about 1,000 jobs last year. But if the economy adds 35,000 jobs and mortgage rates don't rise, builders may be able to match last year's sales pace without a decline, he said. But a small dip is most likely.
Read the full story at Houston Chronicle

Proposed Rules on Mortgages Attract Criticism - 2004-01-07
The government is proposing a rule targeted at giving consumers better estimates of the total cost of a home loan, but the mortgage finance industry and even consumer advocates have shown concern that the measure is being rushed.

Without providing any specifics on the rule, which would overhaul the mortgage application process, the Department of Housing and Urban Development submitted what it called a final version last month to the Office of Management and Budget.
Read the full story at New York Times