homebuilders

When the U.S. housing market hit the skids, homebuilders like KB Home that thrived by offering large homes and expensive amenities began to rethink their home designs with an eye toward making smaller, less costly homes.

Lennar Corp., one of the nation's largest homebuilders, said Tuesday its third-quarter loss narrowed as it cut costs, but revenue fell by more than half amid a prolonged housing slump.

Homebuilders are always trying to sell their homes, but these days they have an extra incentive — beating the clock.

Homebuilders are always trying to sell their homes, but these days they have an extra incentive — beating the clock.

Four of the nation's largest homebuilders will pay $4.3 million in fines for failing to control runoff at construction sites in 34 states and the District of Columbia, the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Justice announced Wednesday.

One of the biggest provisions — costing taxpayers an estimated $6 billion — would allow builders and others in the housing business to count their losses this year and in 2009 against the big profits they made as far back as 2004.

Lennar Corp., one of the nation's largest homebuilders, said Thursday it swung to a loss in the first quarter as it absorbed charges to write down asset values and costs, while new home sales and prices sank amid the stumbling real estate market.

Lennar Corp., one of the nation's largest homebuilders, said Thursday it swung to a loss in the first quarter as it absorbed charges to adjust land values, while new home sales and prices sank amid the stumbling real estate market.