Jane

As Housing Market Struggles, Homebuilders Focus on Survival

It is amazing how many experts write articles on homebuilder stock, the new home market, etc, without ever mentioning that factors that just MIGHT matter include: rampant shoddy construction and code violations; worthless warranties; abusive arbitration clauses; hidden complaints due in large part to arbitration clauses; builders having a big part in creating a housing bubble with artificially inflated prices and mortgage fraud, and so on. These problems, despite being ignored by mainstream media and many "experts," exist and have had a hand in the current economic problems...more than most casual readers know. I doubt the casual reader of economic information realizes that six of the big builders were fined last year alone, (plus I don't know how many smaller builders), for lending law violations. Despicable that they just pay a fine instead of being really held accountable for their hand in this mess. That's just one example. Investors who are really doing their homework would do well to research and consider these things. If they had, perhaps many Americans would not have seen their investments go up in smoke by leaving their retirement funds in the hands of "experts" who failed to "see the housing crash coming." Many saw it coming,and warned. Far too few experts paid attention.

Stimulus Plan Includes Tax Breaks: Stocks That Will Benefit

D McHattie, I couldn't have said it better! And I'd have loved to vote for someone other than the usual republican-democrat but on our state's presidential election ballot, there WAS no other choice and no write in option. It was the usual 'choose the least offensive candidate' election. I am disappointed in Obama's switch to support corporate welfare for the very people who caused these problems. Not sure McCain woudl've been any different, in fact I'm pretty sure he would've also been more of the same. This is not about party it's about pretty much ALL our elected officials being corrupt and incompetent. They all take industry lobbying and campaign money don't they? Therefore they are all looking out for corporate pals, not for their constituents.