WSJ.com: Real Estate

One Family's Urban Playhouse

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 13:58:36 EST

This modern loft in Washington, D.C., features kid-proof industrial surfaces, bright-blue floors and a makeshift basketball court.

Jeffrey Chodorow Raises Price on New York Condominium

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 23:05:47 EST

Restaurateur Jeffrey Chodorow raises the price on his Manhattan condo; a penthouse duplex with slide lists in New York for nearly $4 million; a Fort Lauderdale mansion asks $22 million.

Off the Grid in Wine Country

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 20:22:05 EST

This steel structure in Healdsburg, Calif., was built by its owners using mostly reclaimed materials.

Blackstone Raises $10 Billion

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 19:19:25 EST

Blackstone Group has raised more than $10 billion in less than a year for its latest real-estate fund and is looking to raise an additional $2 billion by year's end.

Showdown Over Miami's Swank Set

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 00:54:17 EST

One of South Beach's developers is creating a new shopping district in hopes of taking on Bal Harbour Shops, long the top draw for Miami's big spenders.

In Retreat, Sears Set to Unload Stores

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 23:53:36 EST

After seven years of trying to rebuild the iconic retailer Sears, hedge-fund manager Edward S. Lampert reversed course and said Sears Holdings will unload more than 1,200 stores in an effort to raise up to $770 million.

Home Resales Climb Higher

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 19:59:50 EST

Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes rose last month to the highest level in more than 1½ years, while the inventory of unsold homes contracted to a level economists consider healthy, positive signs for housing.

Berkeley House Features Great Views, Modern Style

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 19:32:22 EST

In Berkeley, an 8,100-square-foot home with views of Mount Diablo and the Golden Gate Bridge is on the market for $9.5 million.

Homeowners Roll Up Sleeves to Trim Costs

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 13:04:02 EST

Some of the most attentive pupils at a home-improvement class in Far Rockaway, Queens, are homeowners who are facing the imminent threat of foreclosure..

Should Mortgage Rates Even Be Lower?

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:50:56 EST

According to a key historical measure, rates should be even lower. The wide spread between mortgage rates and mortgage-backed bonds suggests the gears of the banking system are gummed up.

Toll Brothers Posts Loss

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 16:33:50 EST

Toll Brothers reported a quarterly loss as fewer deliveries and increased cancellations weakened revenue, but the home builder said contracts are picking up.

Rural Population Stagnates

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 15:33:54 EST

The nation's rural regions saw much slower population growth in the past decade, reflecting a drop in the number of jobs in these often-isolated areas.

Envisioning a Future Without Fannie, Freddie

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 19:31:47 EST

The U.S. is studying a single way to package home loans into securities as an interim step to develop a home-mortgage guarantee system that could outlive Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

U.S. Stores Boost Home Depot

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 10:07:44 EST

Home Depot's fourth-quarter net profit rose 32% as strong sales in its U.S. stores gave the company a lift.

Amazon Acquires Blocks in Seattle

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 20:26:46 EST

Amazon is buying property in central Seattle with plans to construct about 3 million square feet of office space, a move that could have the company owning its headquarters for the first time amid big expansion.

For Women, Is Home Really So Sweet?

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 10:12:31 EST

Singles have been buying up houses like never before—but it may be time to rethink the American dream, writes Kate Bolick.

Buying After a Short Sale

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 14:22:31 EST

Our columnist lays out options for a reader who's itching to buy again after selling the family home in a short sale.

The Rhythm of a City Block

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 21:52:29 EST

In the last few years, brand-name architects have made their mark on New York in an unusual way: by building apartment buildings.

An Ambassador's Vermont Posting

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 17:33:15 EST

This house began its life in Connecticut in 1775, according to the current owners, who bought it and moved it piece by piece to their land in Vermont in 1988.

Teen Star Nick Jonas Rents in New York

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 19:19:24 EST

Jeffrey Katzenberg sells his Beverly Hills home, Nick Jonas rents in New York and an estate in California's Napa Valley lists for $29.5 million.

An Assist Puts Jeremy Lin in the W

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 02:15:42 EST

After a closely followed house hunt, the Knicks' Jeremy Lin signed a contract to rent a furnished condo on the 38th floor at the W New York Downtown Hotel.

Before a Dribble, Real Estate Scores Points

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 23:33:10 EST

Pockets along Flatbush and Vanderbilt avenues near the Barclays Center have experienced marked growth, with nearly a dozen eateries opening in just the past year.

Showdown in Stamford for Developer Rosen

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 20:25:22 EST

Developer Aby Rosen, who has been fighting headwinds to shore up his highly leveraged U.S. office buildings, faces a new threat, this one to his firm's large portfolio in Stamford, Conn.

Golf Lover's Home

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 07:21:54 EST

This new seven-bedroom residence in England's leafy Surrey is located next to the Royal Automobile Club's Woodcote Park Golf Club.

Provençal Home

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 07:42:46 EST

This four-bedroom house with artist's studio is located in a protected natural park near the village of Les Baux-de-Provence

Hong Kong Penthouse

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 19:54:39 EST

A staircase inside this penthouse apartment leads up to a private roof with views of Hong Kong's skyline and harbor.

Are Real Estate Agents Dinosaurs?

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 18:36:27 EST

A veteran broker says the answer is yes, as more sellers and buyers do deals directly.

Texas's Hines to Double Down in London

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 20:16:55 EST

Hines, one of the world's largest real-estate groups in terms of assets, is preparing to spend $1.6 billion on buildings in the U.K., doubling its assets in the country in an effort to diversify away from riskier acquisitions.

'Avatar' Blues for Builder

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 21:12:41 EST

Development company Avatar Holdings has to change its name because of confusion with the popular "Avatar" movie.

Grubb & Ellis Seeks Quick Sale

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 20:13:21 EST

Commercial real-estate firm Grubb & Ellis Co. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, requesting an expedited sale as it faces $30 million in debt that matures on March 1 and insufficient cash to make it through the first quarter.