Virtual open houses beat the real thing for modern homebuyers, new hedge fund to invest in foreclosed home portfolios … and more

1. For many modern homebuyers, virtual open houses beat the real thing [Newsday]
2. Down to SL Green and Aqueduct Entertainment, bid for racino development should end this week, source says [Crain’s]
3. Six NYC renters who’ve traded up in the down market [NY Mag]
4. A roundup of new hotels opening this year [NYT]

5. Diaz: City should learn from Kingsbridge Armory decision and enact a living wage law [Crain’s]

6. A three-bedroom for under $1 million in Manhattan no longer a fantasy [NYT]
7. Boating insurer takes 12,400 square feet at 60 Broad Street [Crain’s]
8. Forced out by the planned Second Avenue Subway Line, one New Yorker’s search for a new home [NYT]
9. New hedge fund to invest in foreclosed home portfolios [Crain’s]
10. Minister builds a permanent tent city in New Jersey for the homeless [NY Mag]
11. Hotel workers union makes waves on the NY political scene [Crain’s]
12. Town of Babylon, L.I. reveals Wyandanch Rising revitalization plan [Newsday]

13. Three non-profits ink deal at Blackstone’s 1065 Sixth Avenue [Crain’s]

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14. Walkability boosts home values, study finds [NYT]
15. Refurbished 1 Grand Central Place gets Prager Sealy 7,800-square-foot lease [Crain’s]

16. “Katrina Cottages” inspire flood-resistant housing in Long Island [NYT]
17. Some REITs are still smart, bargain investments [NYT]
18. Historic Jones Beach Water Tower being refurbished despite e-mail hoax saying it was demolished [Newsday]

19. A wave of refinancings in the first week of the new year could signal bottom for NYC commercial real estate [Crain’s]
20. Commercial investors will begin seeing returns in 2011, CBRE says [Reuters]
21. New Children’s Place exec plans to expand retail chain, build more stores [Crain’s]
22. Prices down for vacation homes, but loans are hard to come by [NYT]
23. Which newspapers have been spinning the country’s commercial real estate woes? [Seeking Alpha]
24. New Jersey brokers’ optimism in the new year may be warranted [NYT]

25. Related’s residential tower at 350 Amsterdam lands Crumbs Bake Shop and toy store [Crain’s]