UK mortgage lending down 44 pct from a year ago (AP)

AP - Mortgage lending in Britain was down 44 percent in October compared to a year ago, further evidence the economic downturn is hurting an already weak property market, the Council of Mortgage Lenders said Thursday.

China shares fall but property, metals limit loss (AP)

AP - Chinese shares joined the global sell-off Thursday but gains in property developers and gold miners provided a floor for the market, partly offsetting losses in banks and insurers.

MetLife says commercial mortgage portfolio safe (Reuters)

Reuters - U.S. life insurer MetLife Inc disclosed information about its commercial mortgage portfolio on Wednesday in an effort to soothe investors that have become increasingly skittish about investments by insurers in commercial property debt.

Oil falls; Americans cut driving by 90B miles (AP)

<p>AP - Oil slipped below $54 a barrel Wednesday as stock markets across the globe fell and yet another U.S. government report illustrated the disarray in the housing market.

Housing agency loosens foreclosure aid rules (Reuters)

Reuters - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will loosen terms of its foreclosure-prevention effort so that the program, meant to backstop $300 billion in home loans, can be more effective, the agency said on Wednesday.

Homebuilder, REIT shares tumble as recession spreads (Reuters)

Reuters - The shares of big U.S. homebuilders and real estate companies alike slumped on Wednesday as housing starts fell to a record low and concerns spread the commercial real estate market is going the way of residential.</p>