Household wealth in the U.S. climbed in the fourth quarter, propelled by a gain in home prices that is helping repair family finances. more

PROVIDENCE – Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin on Wednesday announced a $150,000 grant to the Housing Action Coalition of Rhode Island to help homeowners facing foreclosure. more

The Washington Trust Co. recently provided a $1.04 million commercial real estate mortgage for the refinancing of the Lamberton Office Center at 90 Lamberton Road in Windsor, Conn. more

The number of Americans signing contracts to buy previously owned homes fell in April by the most in a year, indicating the U.S. housing recovery remains uneven. more

In the real estate brokerage field they’re known as “setups” or “pinball” homes, and this spring’s improving conditions in some markets could be stimulating more of them. more

March foreclosure starts in the Providence-Fall River-New Bedford area dropped 15.5 percent and completed foreclosures fell 6.9 percent compared with the same period last year, according to RealtyTrac’s latest report. more

Rhode Island single-family home prices rose 11 percent in February compared with the same period last year, the Rhode Island Association of Realtors said Thursday. more

Julie A. Lancia’s ALX Group Inc. design firm has earned a reputation for creativity and uniqueness. She travels the globe for the latest styles and trends. The North Providence company has completed a variety of commercial and residential projects. Projects she’s taken on include a high-rise in downtown Providence – a space that was recently featured in Design New England Magazine – and a mill on the Blackstone River in Pawtucket. “Taking space and redefining it is what we do best,” said Lancia, pictured above left, with assistant Gloria Fournier. more

Donald P. Wilson’s son was born with congenital heart disease in 2009. Wilson, as you can imagine, had a lot to worry about. One thing he didn’t have to worry about, however, was his job at Province Mortgage Associates Inc. going away. The situation actually brought him, his co-workers and management closer together. more

Contracts to purchase previously owned U.S. homes climbed more than forecast in January, a sign the industry will keep strengthening this year. more