Upgrades are on the way, an article from The Gazette, reports that ground was broken last week at Peterson Air Force Base on the site where 597 homes will be built, 55 renovated and 440 demolished.  Work will start next month on 242 units at Schriever, which now has no family housing.  For both housing missions, the military joined forces with a private Tennessee-based company, Actus Lend Lease, to form Tierra Vista Communities.  The first phase of 30 homes are expected to be move-in ready at Peterson in about a year.  The project will also pump money into the local economy with about 85% of jobs going to local workers and subcontractors.
http://www.gazette.com/articles/upgrades_35251___article.html/way_.html

Prove You're Not Like the Rest, an article from Realtor Magazine Online, reports that you must be a good marketer in order to generate business in a crowded real estate field.  Experts say to snag the customer, you've got to find a way to stand out.  The Personal Marketing Company Chief Marketing Officer Rob Murry said, "Real estate is an emotional business and, because the market has changed so much, visibility is often more important than ability."  According to Murry, you must appeal to emotions.  Create a brand that makes an emotional connection with your target audience to distinguish yourself from the competition.  Once prospects find a real estate practitioner whose personality they like or with whom they can connect, they are more likely to select that agent over a competitor.  He added, "Consumers think that all real estate agents are the same.  Because they don't see any differentiators, they don't see the perceived value, and are more likely to want to pay less if they think they can get the same thing somewhere else.  But when you're a specialist, you have a unique value and are known for something specific.  Position yourself as a specialist and market yourself as such to get the business."
http://www.realtor.org/rmodaily.nsf/pages/News2008041101

Additional articles that you may find of interest:

A vision of a city - through kid's eyes
http://www.gazette.com/articles/city_35229___article.html/eyes_kid.html

USOC deal was months in the making
http://www.gazette.com/articles/city_35175___article.html/usoc_clinched.html

Poll: Growing majority avoid buying homes
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24106617/

Why bail out homeowners facing foreclosure?
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24073367/

Realty Viewpoint: If You Think You're Saving Money Renting ... Think Again
http://realtytimes.com/rtpages/20080414_realtyviewpoint.htm

Washington Report: Bills on Capitol Hill
http://realtytimes.com/rtpages/20080414_washingtonreport.htm