forecast: Investor Report: Tax Extender Act: 50 tax program extensions beyond their December 31st scheduled expiration date. - 12/19/09 02:48 PM
 
Investor Report: Tax Extender Act
 by Kenneth R. Harney
Real estate investors are facing a squeeze play on Capitol Hill, with important tax incentives nearing an end-of-the-year deadline.
Last week the House approved what's known as the Tax Extender Act, a Christmas tree bill filled with nearly 50 tax program extensions beyond their December 31st scheduled expiration date.
Two of the extenders are especially significant for investment real estate: First is the so-called "leasehold improvements" provision, which allows owners of commercial, retail, hotel and office buildings -- large and small -- to use an accelerated 15-year depreciation schedule in writing … (2 comments)

forecast: Real Estate Outlook: Index Says Positive Growth Underway - 04/24/08 05:13 AM
 
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 Real Estate Outlook: Index Says Positive Growth Underway
 by Kenneth R. Harney
You might not hear much about them on TV or in the papers, but there are some economic signs popping up right now that are -- at the VERY least -- encouraging for housing and real estate.
Take the gold standard of all forward indicators for the U.S. economy -- the Conference Board's "Index of Leading Indicators," which is based on a broad survey of industry data and predicts economic activity three to six months down the road.
The latest Conference Board index registered its first increase in … (2 comments)