Mortgage applications spike … and more

1. Mortgage applications increase 32 percent as long-term interest rates
fall more [NYDN]
2. Real estate pros with experience or a niche ride out the housing crisis more [NYT]
3. State hit with lawsuit alleging conflict of interest in development of
Catskills ski resort more [NYT]
4. Countrywide Financial says delinquencies and foreclosures nearly doubled,
and its shares take a pounding more [Post]
5. Kaufman
Center’s Merkin Concert
Hall re-opens after a $17 million renovation designed by architect Robert A.M. Stern more [Sun]
6. A look at living in Midtown South more [AMNY]
7. East Harlem residents sue to stop plan to give
20 private schools exclusive afternoon use of $50 million in new sports fields that
they want to build on Randall’s Island more [Metro]
8. Bear Stearns to close hedge fund that invested in mortgage-backed
securities more [Bloomberg via Post]
9. Park Slope’s Stone Park to get a makeover after becoming a hotspot more [Metro]