North Bay Business Journal

School land, water source among new Napa Pipe elements

NAPA — The developers of Napa Pipe have agreed to several additions to the proposed mixed-use neighborhood project including donating 10 acres for a school and a shift from groundwater to surface water for residents. The changes will be released in a supplemental Environmental Impact Report this fall.

Lennar buys Linwood development from Christopherson

SONOMA COUNTY — National homebuilder Lennar Corporation has purchased Santa Rosa-based Christopherson Homes’ Linwood properties near the Sonoma County Fairgrounds and expects to have a sales office open within a month.

Long-delayed projects enter key phases

NORTH BAY – Two major residential projects in Sonoma County that have been held up for years because of regulatory processes and lawsuits have entered new phases of progress.

Latest California homebuyer tax credit expected to go quickly

NORTH BAY – Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a new Homebuyer Tax Credit bill into law effective May 1.

Residential Real Estate: Week focuses attention on affordable housing

Also: Home market shows signs of stability; Midstate receives honor

Angwin Eco Village report due in July; size remains open

NAPA – Pacific Union College’s proposed Eco Village in Angwin has been scaled down from the original 1,600 units to 600 units to 380, and it may scale back further after the environmental impact report is out.

Downturn’s silver lining: We’re attractive, affordable

If there is anything approaching a silver lining to the impacts of the Great Recession on the North Bay and particularly Sonoma County, it might be this:

For the first time in decades, the conditions exist in the North Bay’s most populous county to make it a very attractive and affordable place for business.

Supreme Court ruling protects buyer-seller options

CALIFORNIA – The California Supreme Court has upheld and clarified protections for real estate buyers to have time to investigate properties before purchase, particularly for developers in hot markets.

Real Estate: After veto, governor asks lawmakers for new mortgage tax relief measure

Because of a bill vetoed last week by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, California homeowners who sell short will have to pay taxes on forgiven mortgage debt.

New title policy could further crimp lending

NORTH BAY — Title insurance companies are no longer providing “creditor’s rights” in accordance with the recent recommendations of both the American Land Title Association and the California Land Title Association.