U.S. Home Construction Jumps; Fed Report Notes Cooling Signs

U.S. Home Construction Jumps; Fed Report Notes Cooling Signs
Housing starts increased 3.4% in September and building permits rose 2.4%. The Fed's 'beige book' found rising prices nationwide, and policy makers suggested that more interest-rate increases are to come.

Pleather Goes Upscale: What's Next in Furniture
As retailers looks for novel designs to distract shoppers from the price increases they are announcing this month, it is pinning some of its hopes on a big -- and risky -- move into faux leathers and animal skins.

Northern New Jersey Sees Housing Crunch and High Prices
Home prices in the country's most densely populated state continue to rise as the number of new houses built lags behind buyer interest.

Realty Q&A: The Costs of Buying In Mexico and Flipping Property
The tax consequences of owning property south of the border and more on the economics of flipping homes.