GOOD NEWS FOR SOME

"The housing crisis and credit crunch may end the American dream of property ownership for millions of people, but for landlords seeking bargain investment properties the market is looking up. ...Building contractor Chad Blankenbaker seeks foreclosed homes to "flip" -- buying at well below market value, refitting then selling them at a hefty profit. "I'm shocked at how low the prices are here," he said. "There's so much inventory that no one has to fight to buy anything. "Around the country the housing crisis represents both a business opportunity for landlords and a huge shift in the rental market." (Yahoo News, 17 March) RD