Sales of newly constructed homes in the Chicago area rose 27 percent in 2013, but have not yet reached the peak pre-recession activity levels seen in 2005, Crain’s Chicago Business reports. Tracy Cross, president of Tracy Cross & Associates, Inc. in Schaumburg told Crain’s she expects new-home sales to increase by another 20 percent in 2014.

In other headlines:

Wells Fargo Lowers Credit Scores for FHA Loans – National Mortgage News

Builders with ‘Green Experience’ Fared Better During Recession – Mortgage News Daily