Ceres family wins house giveaway - 2004-02-18
A lucky turn of a key got Ceres family a new home worth $220,000. The south Stockton house was donated by Modesto builder Del Valle Homes as part of an advertising promotion.

While the family will not have to pay for the new house, it will have to pay federal and state income taxes due on the $220,000 value of the prize.

"We're going to arrange for him and his family to have a mortgage on the house for the amount of the income taxes," Myers said Tuesday.
Read the full story at Modesto Bee

Residential construction activity slows - 2004-02-18
The number of housing projects builders broke ground on in January dropped by the biggest amount in almost a year as bad winter weather played havoc with construction activity.

Home sales reached record high levels in 2003, powered by low mortgage rates that proved too good for buyers to pass up. Sales of both previously owned homes and new ones should have their second best year ever in 2004.
Read the full story at San Jose Mercury News