thanks guys!  I deleted the link in ns2524’s post. 

I did indeed call KHOV and see if they were able to build a VERY small house for me near Big Bear.  We will see, the house is tiny though.  (About `900 sqft).  Anyway, we will see.  Good luck
-bix

Email ... Away!
-bix

Standard Pacific Swamped
http://www.forbes.com/markets/economy/2008/01/11/stanardpacific-homebuilders-mortgage-markets-equity-cx_ra_0111markets31.html
The housing market’s disaster du jour for Friday was builder Standard Pacific (nyse: SPF - news - people ) whose shares plunged 17.6% on news it had retained restructuring and bankruptcy specialist Miller Buckfire as a financial adviser. The implication that the builder might be considering a bankruptcy filing was not lost on investors.
The Irvine, Calif.-based company’s shares slid 47 cents, to $2.20, at the close on Friday. The shares traded above $48 in the summer of 2005 and have been declining steadily since as the housing boom of the early 2000s turned to bust.

I was looking at Lennar’s stock performance since 2005… looks like investors took a beating…stock went from the 70’s to low-teens in 2007! Yikes.

Re: Standard Pacific
They are building a unit right next, perhaps even ATTACHED, to the garage of that beautiful mission-type office building on Newport Ave., just right before the 55 as you head out of Newport.
I pass by it all the time, yet I NEVER have seen anyone working on it!  Odd…

Lyon sells SoCal lots at 43 cents on dollar

http://lansner.freedomblogging.com/2008/01/14/lyon-sells-socal-lots-at-43-cents-on-dollar/

Humor re: how do you know if the housing markets going up or down?
You could by the ready now house $831,632.  Or, hey, wait and collect interest while we build you one 200 sq. ft. bigger for the same price ....
http://www.richmondamerican.com/Shop+and+Buy/View+Community.htm?mr=Orange County&cm=1276&=ID=1276&Type=Community

 
     
         
        __doPostBack(‘MultiStatusListing1’,‘Sort:Name’)“style=“FONT-WEIGHT: bold” ]Name
        __doPostBack(‘MultiStatusListing1’,‘Sort:Status’)“style=“FONT-WEIGHT: bold” ]Status
        __doPostBack(‘MultiStatusListing1’,‘Sort:Price’)“style=“FONT-WEIGHT: bold” ]Price
        __doPostBack(‘MultiStatusListing1’,‘Sort:Sq.Ft.‘)“style=“FONT-WEIGHT: bold” ]Sq.Ft.
        __doPostBack(‘MultiStatusListing1’,‘Sort:Bed’)“style=“FONT-WEIGHT: bold” ]Bed
        __doPostBack(‘MultiStatusListing1’,‘Sort:Bath’)“style=“FONT-WEIGHT: bold” ]Bath
        __doPostBack(‘MultiStatusListing1’,‘Sort:Garage’)“style=“FONT-WEIGHT: bold” ]Garage
     
     
       
        ManzanitaopenDialog(‘/Shop+and+Buy/Floor+Plan.htm?mr=Orange County&pl=10941&cm=1276’,700,600,‘resizable=yes,scrollbars=yes,resizable=yes’);“style=“DISPLAY: inline” ][img]http://www.richmondamerican.com/Shop+and+Buy/ImageServer.aspx?ii=424261&Width=120&Height=83 style=“CURSOR: pointer” alt=“”>
        Quick Move-in
        $831,632
        2,600
        4
        4
        2
     
     
        <img alt=“” border=“0” [/img]
        ManzanitaopenDialog(‘/Shop+and+Buy/Floor+Plan.htm?mr=Orange County&pl=10941&cm=1276’,700,600,‘resizable=yes,scrollbars=yes,resizable=yes’);“style=“DISPLAY: inline” ]<img style=“CURSOR: pointer” alt=“”>
        Plan Available to be Built
        $831,632
        2,800
        4
        3 1/2
        2
     
 

Disclaimer P.S. Can’t find the description on the Quick move in, who knows, maybe some upgrades make the difference in sq. ft. or something.

4 Lyon Homes board members quit
http://lansner.freedomblogging.com/2008/01/17/4-lyon-homes-board-members-quit/

Quit, or were fired?  or were "forced out"?  I keep waiting for Lennar’s internet conference call next week to see how they justify their actions…

The next housing casualty?
Orange County homebuilders and developers are struggling with high debt and dropping credit.

http://www.ocregister.com/money/million-pacific-standard-1969333-lyon-company

Standard Pacific staff cut 27%
http://lansner.freedomblogging.com/2008/02/05/standard-pacific-staff-cut-27/

Angry homebuilders halt Congressional contributions
http://lansner.freedomblogging.com/2008/02/13/angry-homebuilders-halt-congressional-contributions/
Added 2-15-08 ... oh there’s more to this story…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/13/AR2008021303699.html?hpid=topnews

Prices Offered Up to 50% Off During D.R. Horton’s ‘UnAuction’ Sale - February 16 and 23 Only!

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/02-08-2008/0004752623&EDATE=

Yeah…then they’re just going to go ahead and raise them 50% as soon as it’s over…

Via e-mail:

Announcing New 30-Year, Fixed-Rate Mortgages at 5%*

At John Laing Homes we are dedicated to offering the lowest possible monthly payments for our homebuyers. Through a special, limited-time program with our lending partner JLH Mortgage, we can now provide a select number of reduced, fixed-rate mortgages to our buyers at numerous Southern California neighborhoods. We are offering 30-year, fixed-rate loans at 5%, including an unbeatable fixed 3% in the first year.

These rates are another example of John Laing Homes’ aggressive and highly personalized approach to providing unmatched home buying experiences for our customers. This is just one of many customized programs John Laing Homes offers its buyers depending on their specific needs.

PROGRAM DETAILS & OPPORTUNITIES

    * 30-year fixed-rate mortgage at five percent

    * Exceptional benefit and long term savings for buyers

    * Guaranteed lower monthly payments without any tricky financing

    * Available at select move-in ready homes

just got the email too - none of the john laing 5% select homes are in irvine - oceanside, santa ana, del rey, chino and winchester - figures - I was ready to rush out! ha!

Have you looked at the conditions? 90% value of home (FHA 97% and VA 100%).

What is FHA and VA? Sorry for my ignorance

FHA is gov’t sponsered program, and VA is for Veterans.   Used to be the only way you could buy for nothing down, except FHA was 3%, now nothing.

Where’s Empire?
http://www.azdailysun.com/articles/2008/02/17/news/20080217_front page_23.txt

Email today from Standard Pacific:
 
Dear "GITOC",

Just as the peak time to buy arrives, J.D. Power and Associates Highest Rankings help shape your decision to explore Standard Pacific Homes’ incredible opportunities!

Superb selections in Irvine, and unbeatable final opportunities in Torrance top the list of reasons to act now! Standard Pacific Homes is making your new home irresistible. Find out about the unmatched grandeur and sales success at our newest collection at Crystal Cove. Get all the details by viewing our online newsletter now! See how Standard Pacific Homes is giving buyers at every stage, the opportunities you’ve waited for.

  Standard Pacific Homes is "Highest Ranked for Customer Satisfaction, Quality and Design Among New-Home Builders in Orange County" by J.D. Power and Associates.
  Bayberry & Acacia in Torrance are closing out the community with unbelievable final opportunities for a great South Bay lifestyle!
  Shady Lane and Hidden Hollow at The Preserve at Chino offer up to $75,000 in Allowances to spend your way on select locations
  Up to $70,000 Allowances on select homes makes Palo Verde in La Quinta the smart place to purchase single-level detached elegance with all the luxuries now!
  Exquisite locations at Serra in Portola Springs offer get-away surroundings in a close-to-everything address
  Panoramic ocean luxury is welcomed by buyers at The Tides, an estate collection at Crystal Cove
>

Serra in Portola Springs does not seem to list any allowances on the "online newsletter" they attached…

I don’t understand why the homebuilders are building anything at the moment.  No reason to do anything other then finish what they started.

Don’t worry, the builder problems are contained…
Sun Hung Kai, Mitsubishi Estate Lead Asian Property Stocks Drop
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=alfmN9Ujtyy4&refer=home

You know this should have been expected since all the well heeled asians are coming to Irvine to buy houses!