rent – News Stories About rent - Page 3

Sep 2, 2008 9:04 PM CDT

Rent-to-Own Leases Help Fill Up Condos

In slow market, some developers offer test drives to renters

(Newser) - The credit crisis landed the housing market on shaky ground, but condo developers are attracting cash-strapped buyers by offering them rent-to-own leases, the Boston Globe reports. The deal allows would-be homeowners to rebuild their credit and test out conditions, while developers make money on properties that otherwise would be empty....

Raging Rangel
Denies Rent Deal

Jul 12, 2008 5:48 AM CDT

Raging Rangel Denies Rent Deal

Lawmaker defends taking up 4 rent-controlled units in city short of housing

(Newser) - A testy Charles Rangel yesterday brushed off accusations that he had enjoyed special treatment in occupying four rent-controlled apartments, reports the New York Times. The veteran Democratic congressman denied he had a "sweetheart" deal with his landlord and slammed the Times article that started the controversy. The 78-year-old chairman...

Rangel Enjoys Sweet Deal
on 4 Harlem Apartments

Jul 11, 2008 2:35 AM CDT

Rangel Enjoys Sweet Deal on 4 Harlem Apartments

Dem faces questions over big savings on rent

(Newser) - A powerful Democratic lawmaker is getting a sweet deal on four Harlem apartments, the New York Times reports. Charles Rangel has four rent-stabilized apartments, whose rents are controlled by city law. Three of the apartments are combined into one luxury unit, and the fourth is used as an office—despite...

What's So Great About Home Ownership?

Opinion

Jun 23, 2008 8:45 AM CDT

What's So Great About Home Ownership?

US policy is stacked against renters— for no good reason

(Newser) - “Owning a home lies at the heart of the American Dream,” George W. Bush once said, and US policy certainly seems to agree with him. Mortgage interest is tax deductible, and government-sponsored enterprises such as Fannie Mae provide cheap financing for home buyers. Why is that, asks Paul...

Rise in Renters Wiping Out Gains in Homeownership

Jun 21, 2008 7:29 AM CDT

Rise in Renters Wiping Out Gains in Homeownership

Effects of subprime crisis evident as percentage of owners drops

(Newser) - Americans are shifting from being homeowners to renters in rising numbers, the New York Times reports, all but wiping out gains made during the boom. The percentage of homes headed by homeowners dropped from 69.1% to 67.8% this year, which sounds modest, but is, in fact, the biggest...

'Evangelist' Renter: Time to Buy

ANALYSIS

May 28, 2008 8:32 AM CDT

'Evangelist' Renter: Time to Buy

NYT analyst says buying begins to make sense again

(Newser) - As property prices head back down, a self-proclaimed "evangelist" of renting is trading in the lease for a mortgage. David Leonhardt of the New York Times has been advising people for years not to buy a home and get their money tied up in a housing bubble, but he...

French Get Dirty to Pay the Rent

Mar 13, 2008 1:41 PM CDT

French Get Dirty to Pay the Rent

Sex-for-accomodation on the rise in crashing housing market

(Newser) - France is in the throes of its worst housing crisis since World War II, which has led to some sordid dealings in some cities. With many young people unable to pay sky-high rents, landlords are offering apartments “for services”—usually sexual ones, the BBC reports. As homelessness and...

Given Rent Prices, Homes Still Too High

Jan 3, 2008 10:21 AM CST

Given Rent Prices, Homes Still Too High

Expect another 15% drop if historical relationship holds

(Newser) - If rent prices are any indication, home prices aren’t done falling, according to one former and two current Federal Reserve economists. Annual rents have historically held steady at about 5% of home prices, but since 1996 home prices have left rents in the dust, the Wall Street Journal explains....

Office Rents Soar in US

Jul 5, 2007 1:50 PM CDT

Office Rents Soar in US

Companies are bearing the brunt of a price surge for commercial leases

(Newser) - The price of office space has surged nationwide due to a dwindling store of vacant commercial property and picky landlords increasingly keen on attracting well-heeled tenants. Across the country, leases spiked an average of 3.1% in the second quarter, following an increase of 2.8% in the first.