A Profile of a Neighborhood Is Now Just a Click Away - 2004-02-06
Want to know how many empty lots are in your neighborhood? How high the rent increases have been? The rate of mortgage foreclosures? How many people live in "linguistic isolation" (bureaucratese for "non-English speakers'')?

Under a new federally financed program, anyone wanting to tap into a wealth of housing (and other) information about any of New York City's neighborhoods - would-be home buyers, renters, policy makers or community advocates - can log on at no charge to a simple-to-use Web site at www.nychanis.com.
Read the full story at New York Times

Onwards and upwards with mortgage rates - 2004-02-06
As predicted by almost everyone, interest rates were duly increased yesterday by 0.25 points to 4%. This is only the second increase in four years, ending a remarkable period of stability.

The reason is simple: too much money chasing too few houses, a situation that will not change until the government either persuades others to build houses or encourages local councils to do it. If house prices continue rising at double-digit rates, then the small rise in mortgage payments will easily be offset by more capital gain.
Read the full story at Guardian Unlimited