<p>AP - Federal regulators on Friday shut down two big thrifts based in Southern California, saying they fell victim to the acute distress in the housing market in that state.
AP - Word of mouth is one of the most common ways homebuyers and sellers find a real estate agent. Now, there are several Web sites that tout a more scientific approach: ranking agents based on criteria such as years of experience, how many sales they've closed, and the number of positive testimonials from past clients.
The Motley Fool - Our fellow Americans are experiencing a world of hurt -- layoffs, postponed retirements, foreclosures, bankruptcies, and, at best, angst and uncertainty. Your empathy is appreciated, but is that really the best use of your energy right now?
AP - Troubled German lender Hypo Real Estate said Friday it has been granted euro20 billion ($25 billion) in loan guarantees from a government fund, which comes on top of a previous bailout to stabilize its business amid the financial turmoil.
AFP - US President George W. Bush signed into law a bill to extend unemployment benefits over the Christmas holiday period and major federal lenders will freeze home foreclosures until the New Year, officials said Friday.
<img src="http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/rids/20081112/i/r3473221930.jpg?x=130&y=101&q=85&sig=VNlrFfWow_RjPrddoqDj_A--" align="left" height="101" width="130" alt="REFILE - CORRECTING SPELLING OF CHARLIE CRIST
Governor Sonny Perdue of Georgia (L) talks with Governor Charlie Crist of Florida during a Plenary Session at the 2008 Republican Governors Association Annual Conference in Miami November 12, 2008. REUTERS/Hans Deryk (UNITED STATES)" border="0" />AP - Gov. Charlie Crist continued to veer away from his previous opposition to raising tuition with a proposal this week allowing for increases of up to 15 percent a year at all state universities. But a top Democratic lawmaker said it's the wrong time for that course as people struggle with foreclosures and layoffs.
