WSJ.com: Developments

Think Twice About Cheering New Home Sales
Many Wall Street and industry experts are cheering October’s new-home sales, which handily beat estimates by climbing 6.2%. Prices, which had been in freefall, dropped by the smallest margin in nearly a year.

A Bankruptcy for Maguire? Nope, Just a Lawyer
Troubled Maguire Properties Inc. has hired a restructuring expert as a top executive, but the company, one of the largest office landlords in southern California, is not preparing for a bankruptcy filing, says chief executive Nelson Rising.

Hyatt to the Rescue: Helps Hotel Avoid Default
Amid the commotion of hotel owners and hotel operators fighting about cutting costs in this downturn, there are occasions in which operators pull out all the stops to make sure that owners don't go under.

Happy Thanksgiving: Judge Erases Long Island Family?s Mortgage
A Long Island family has plenty to be thankful for tomorrow: A judge just freed the Horoskis of East Patchogue from the crippling debt on their home, helping them avoid foreclosure.

Real Estate News: After Stuy Town Debacle, Calpers Weighs Booting BlackRock
Real Estate News compiles a daily wrap-up from each morning's Wall Street Journal and other news sources. Calpers Weighs Booting BlackRock (WSJ): Calpers is leaning toward dumping BlackRock as a real-estate adviser after the firm steered the California pension fund into the Stuyvesant Town disaster. Acorn Housing Struggles to Hang On (WSJ): Video scandal cost nonprofit group its federal funding at a time when its mortgage-counseling services are in high demand. Fannie Looks to Level Foreclosed-Home Playing Field (WSJ): Program will give ordinary home buyers an exclusive window to bid before property investors. Deposit requirements would also be dropped for owner-occupants. U.S. Home Prices' Ascent Slows (WSJ): Home prices inched higher in September but at a slower pace than in prior months, raising doubts about the strength of the housing sector's recovery. Builders Net Win in N.Y. Case (WSJ): New York's top court ruled that the state can use eminent domain for a massive development in Brooklyn that includes an arena for the New Jersey Nets. IVG Immobilien Beats Slump for Now (WSJ): A year in, new CEO brings listed real-estate investment firm back from brink. But challenges remain and the jury is still out. Hyatt Hotels Lends a Helping Hand (WSJ): A delinquent mortgage is made current again at a Jacksonville property. China's Retail Sector Draws More Interest (WSJ): More investors are focusing on China's retail property sector, especially in second-tier cities, as a way to gain from the country's increasing wealth. Citi Calls for More Mortgage-Principal Forgiveness (WSJ): Mortgage chief says restructuring loans isn't enough as unemployment rises. Tough Timing for Ski-Resort Sale (WSJ): Powdr's purchase comes at a time of declining revenue and visits. Will the market in ski towns recover?

For Landlords, Boomerang Renters Are Bad News
With many Americans boomeranging back with mom and dad or sharing digs with roommates, the nation's apartment operators--particularly the public players--continue to bite their nails as they await recovery.

So You?re Underwater, What?s Next?
Nearly one in four borrowers - or roughly 10.7 million people - owe more than their homes is worth, according to FirstAmerican Core Logic. Some face shortfalls worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Follow Up: Solaria Auction?s Success Is Up in the Air
On Sunday more than 200 people showed up for the auction of 54 luxury condos located in the luxury high-rise in the Bronx's Riverdale neighborhood.

Lower Housing Inventory? Try ?Lower For Now?
That has eaten into the number of homes available for sale. At the end of October, total inventory fell 3.7% to a 7-month supply for the first time since February 2007, the National Association of Realtors reports today.

Real Estate News: Existing-Home Sales Leap, Hong Kong Property Prices Soar
Real Estate News compiles a daily wrap-up from each morning's Wall Street Journal and other news sources.