Their houses may look a bit odd to the neighbors, but those who build environment-friendly “green” residences are the ones chuckling.

After 20 years sculpting about 600 miles of wilderness trails through the thick forests of Oregon, Washington, California, Idaho and Montana, Dennis Smith is taking on the challenge of a new working environment.

A growing number of Valley builders are trying to entice buyers with a more unconventional sales tactic - the auction - in an ongoing effort to unload excess houses.

Construction costs already were climbing for residential and commercial development, and Katrina’s wrath is expected to push those costs even higher.

A federal appeals court has slapped down efforts by home builders to overturn a decision that two stretches of the Santa Cruz River are legally “navigable.”

Recovery seems to be on the minds of many these days as the economy continues to shake off the after-effects of the recession. Housing prices and sales are climbing, the unemployment rate is falling and near record-low mortgage rates are bringing potential buyers who had been reluctant to make a move during the housing downturn back into the market.

When Linda and Wayne Minde opened their home remodeling company 23 years ago, they earned a whopping $2,000 their first year.

WASHINGTON — U.S. home prices accelerated in November compared with a year ago, pushed higher by rising sales and a tighter supply of available homes.

Housing construction plunged to the lowest level in more than six years in October as the nation’s once-booming housing market slowed further.

WASHINGTON - The nation's inflation picture - other than a war-related run-up in energy prices - looked good in March, and housing construction rebounded, offering a dose of decent news for the struggling economy.

LOS ANGELES - The number of U.S. homes in foreclosure more than doubled in the third quarter, a surge that analysts said will likely drive already weak prices even lower in the hardest-hit areas.

WASHINGTON - New home construction rebounded in February following a steep January slide. But analysts pointed to a further decline in building permits as a worrisome signal of future problems for the troubled housing industry.

The Maricopa Association of Governments is expected to scrap plans to build itself an $87 million office building in yet another example of how local plans are being affected by a sluggish economy.

WASHINGTON - Sales of new homes in May climbed to the second highest level in history, providing further evidence that low mortgage rates are still fueling a booming housing market.

WASHINGTON - Powered by the lowest mortgage rates in four decades, new home construction in January hit the highest level since 1986, the government reported Wednesday.

New homes are larger than ever, newly released statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau show. There are more bedrooms, more bathrooms and more floor space.

Even the real estate agents — typically the most optimistic analysts of the home market — are getting blue. On Friday the National Association of Realtors lowered its 2006 forecast for home sales, saying a large inventory and price imbalance must work through the system before things get better.

Even the real estate agents — typically the most optimistic analysts of the home market — are getting blue.

Buyers welcome. That’s the message the East Valley’s new home market is starting to send to people looking to buy homes, especially those who held back as prices escalated to new records.

Most homebuilders nationally say a "severe" lack of credit for housing production is threatening the new housing recovery before it has time to take hold, according to a new survey conducted by the National Association of Home Builders.

In a brutally competitive housing market, real estate agents and builders have been clamoring to find the next great marketing tool to draw in buyers.

An increasing number of women are buying homes without the help of a man thanks to an increased focus from lenders and record-low mortgage rates. Kristy Nied, 26, bought a condominium in Scottsdale in January. After some coaxing from her parents, she decided the low mortgage rates made it a great time to buy.

For the rich and famous, there is no slump in the real estate market. According to Multiple Listing Services numbers supplied by Scottsdale luxury homebuilder Calvis Wyant, sales of homes of more than $3 million are up so far in 2006 compared with the last two years.

I moved into my house about a year ago, and at the time my real estate agent suggested I have the home inspected again just before my one-year warranty expired.