About 75 percent of local housing directors say that federal and state governments are not providing enough support for local housing programs, according to a report by the National League of Cities, a resource and advocacy organization for its 1,600 member cities and state municipal leagues.

In the “State of America’s Cities Survey,” which collected 432 responses from municipal officials, 68 percent of respondents identified lower-income working families as the group with the most critical housing needs.

This group was followed by elderly and aging residents, disabled or dependent adults, single-parent families, and middle-income working families — in that order.

Does the thought of starting your own blog overwhelm you? If so, it may be time to rethink your reluctance. A blog can help you create new business while also providing a steady income stream separate from your real estate activities.

Mortgage rates have held last week’s 6 percent low (also the low for 2006), but there is no follow-through and the market is vulnerable without news of deepening economic slowdown.

The Federal Reserve’s meeting next week will be a non-event (the Fed will stay put at 5.25 percent and say nothing except “wait-to-see”). Housing data due before Christmas might move rates, but the next substantial news will be consumer performance in holiday shopping, which is weeks away. November payroll data came and went this morning without altering anybody’s outlook — pessimists and optimists found whatever they wanted in a modest gain of 132,000 new jobs and unemployment still dead low at 4.5 percent.

LA JOLLA, Calif. — The new political administration in Mexico is committed to continuing the flow of foreign investment into the country - including the promotion of second homes and retirement residences - and United States mortgage lenders have taken the message to market.

GMAC International Mortgage this week announced it had rolled out a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage for Americans buying property in Mexico in addition to a “stated income” or limited documentation option for a slightly higher interest rate. Both components also are available to borrowers for “cash-back” refinances, allowing customers to pull out up to 50 percent of the cash value of their primary residence or second home in Mexico. The cash-back ratio will increase to 70 percent in January, according to Dan Bryant, director of GMAC International Mortgage.

It’s time once again to be looking for some great gift ideas for the home handyperson or tool nut on your gift list. Here are some fun and practical suggestions for brightening up the holiday season: