Does the Springs need more commercial development?, an article from the Colorado Springs Business Journal, reports that according to 2 local commercial brokers, Plasmon’s decision to move into the new Corporate Office Properties Trust’s Hybrid II building off Federal Drive supports the need for continued commercial development, even during a slower market.  Kent Mau of Sierra Commercial Real Estate said the local market "exhibits strength but cannot play the cycle out without additional space.”  He added, "If you started a new Class A building today, it won’t be ready until late 2009 or early 2010 at the earliest.  To attract companies, we need new Class A inventory on the drawing board.  There’s only a small amount of sublease office space to absorb — and the overall Class A vacancy rate, with sublease included, stands at less than 10 percent, a healthy level.”
http://www.csbj.com/story.cfm?ID=19926

Foreclosures climb, but at a slower pace, an article from The Denver Post, reports that according to the Colorado Division of Housing, foreclosure filings in Colorado continued to surge in the first quarter, but at a slower pace than last year.  Reports from public trustees show 23% more foreclosure starts in the first quarter of 2008 than in the same period last year.  However, the pace is slower than the 40% jump seen across 2007 and the 31% pace of 2006.  Ryan McMaken, a Housing Division spokesman who compiles the quarterly survey said, "We are hopeful we are looking at a 15 percent to 20 percent increase in foreclosures for the year."  Public trustees recorded 11,630 foreclosures between January and March, and 5,875 cases where a borrower lost the home at auction.  According to McMaken, the change in foreclosure rules at the start of the year extended the time that delinquent borrowers have to get caught up on their loans before the home goes to auction, which reduced the number of auction sales in March and April.
http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_9275172

Housing starts post surprising rebound, an article from MSNBC.com, reports that during the worst downturn in housing in more than two decades, construction of new homes posted the biggest increase in more than two years in April.  According to the Commerce Department, housing construction rose by 8.2% in April to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.03 million units.  The growth came from a big increase in apartment construction.  Apartment building, defined as two or more units, jumped by 36% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 340,000 units, while the larger single-family sector dropped by 1.7% to an annual rate of 692,000 units.  Considered a good sign of future activity, applications for building permits also recorded an increase in April, rising by 4.9% to 978,000 units.  This was the first gain in permits in five months.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24664672/

Additional articles that you may find of interest:

Report shows jump in '08 foreclosure filings
http://www.gazette.com/articles/foreclosure_36360___article.html/county_first.html

Fannie lowers down payments
http://money.cnn.com/2008/05/16/real_estate/fanniemae_downpayment.ap/index.htm?postversion=2008051609

Elusive housing bill inches forward
http://money.cnn.com/2008/05/15/real_estate/Dodd_Shelby_announcement/index.htm?postversion=2008051607

What To Take And What To Leave Behind When Downsizing
http://realtytimes.com/rtpages/20080516_downsizing.htm

Smooth Short Sales: Tips from a Lender
http://www.realtor.org/rmodaily.nsf/pages/News2008051504

Become a Second-Home Specialist
http://www.realtor.org/rmodaily.nsf/pages/News2008051505