Real Estate News – March 23, 2011

A controversial proposal for an ordinance that would have required owners of residential and commercial buildings in Richfield to register them if vacant for more than 30 days was passed by the city council last night after several amendments including an extension of 90 days rather than 30 (via StarTribune.com): http://bit.ly/ef7D4O

The widespread damage from Japan’s 9.0 earthquake and tsunami, which then set off a nuclear crisis, may have buyers reconsidering living near a nuclear power plant and have a temporary impact on U.S. home prices in nearby nuclear areas, experts say (via REALTORMag): http://bit.ly/gPaIhD

U.S. commercial property prices slipped for the second straight month in January, as distressed real estate sales weighed on values, according to Moody’s Investors Service (via Bloomberg.com): http://bloom.bg/fXz5dJ

A couple weeks ago, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) released its list of the Top 10 states for LEED-certified commercial and institutional green buildings. Minnesota made the list ranking tenth (via midwesthomemag.com): http://bit.ly/fglESY

Light rail produces a burst of development, but not everywhere (via newurbannetwork.com): http://bit.ly/gPSU1f