Local construction firms weathering storm better than others, an article from the Colorado Springs Business Journal, reports that the El Paso County construction industry has fared better than other areas of the country during the run up in construction commodity prices.  According to local construction experts and subcontractors, no sector of the economy is immune from construction materials price increases, tight money and cautious investors.  Darren Carter, senior estimator for Nunn Construction said, “We’re seeing some commercial projects put on hold as lenders are requiring investors to get their buildings 70 percent instead of 20 percent leased.  Aside from the big jump in steel and rebar along with any product related to oil, we’re also working to find ways to keep our delivery and job commute costs as efficient as possible.”  Monte Everson, senior estimator for J.E. Dunn, advises investors to partner up with a contractor early in the process.  He said, “By getting in on preliminary planning, we can help generate a realistic budget that allows for pre-determined construction materials escalation.”
http://www.csbj.com/story.cfm?ID=20078

Investor Report: Anti-Flipping Rules, an article from RealtyTimes.com, reports that the Federal Housing Administration is temporarily waiving its "anti-flipping" rules and will now insure mortgages on properties that have been owned by the current seller for less than 90 days.  According to FHA Commissioner Brian Montgomery, the idea is to help get rid of the "glut of foreclosed and abandoned homes" now burdening large numbers of neighborhoods around the country.  The temporary waiver is set to expire in June of 2009.  Under the revised policy, FHA will require purchasers to be financially capable of handling the mortgage, and underwriters will look hard at appraisals.  The agency will no longer rule out insuring a mortgage simply because title to the property had changed hands within the previous three months.
http://realtytimes.com/rtpages/20080627_investorreport.htm

Additional articles that you may find of interest:

Where will we be in 2020?
http://www.gazette.com/articles/_37704___article.html/_.html

Rising rates could slow housing recovery
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25374401/

IRS Offers Relief From Pain at the Pump
http://www.realtor.org/rmodaily.nsf/pages/News2008062603