Home sales and the home team

Over the past year subprime mortgage rates have made the headlines repeatedly, always proclaiming the worse news. Today, The New York Times tracks the new trends that are emerging as a result. The rise in auctions of foreclosed properties in Minnesota is seen as symptomatic of the housing market, and the article examines the pros and cons of this, from allowing others to enter the housing market at lower prices to creating less stable communities filled with tenants in rented properties. It might not be the most exciting of subjects, but the lede starts out with a strong image, and the quotes and recreation of auction conditions keep the reader’s interest as the article continues.

The International Herald Tribune prints an article with another perspective on the housing market. After reports this past week suggesting that the British real estate market could hit a crisis similar to that in the U.S. right now, an article today draws attention to a social niche exempt from this. The uber-rich who dream of a country estate—complete with private driveway—are not deterred from seeking their “trophy” homes. The article seems to have been written with these buyers in mind. It gives only a bare minimum of information about the housing market before delving into descriptions of lavish country homes with celebrity ties. It seems to be more a real estate sales pitch, but it masquerades as news, proving the consumer-driven trend among 21^st-century newspapers.

The Boston Globe this morning revels in the Red Sox winning the pennant. The front page article on last night’s victory basks in the drama of the Sox’s comeback in the ALCS before getting down to business with the score and major plays of the game. The article captures the tone of Red Sox Nation, with references to recent history—noting the ceremonial first pitch by Kevin Millar of the 2004 World Series-winning Sox team—and less recent history—pointing to the success of recent years as unmatched since the days of Babe Ruth.