Construction

A new study shows that re-using an old building almost always saves more energy than framing up a new one.

I bought a condo in Bozeman, Mont., 7 years ago using a 5/1 ARM. When the 5-year period ended, I let it roll over into a 1-year ARM because the rate went down from 4.5 to 3.25. Then, last year, I did the same -- only from 3.25 to 3 percent. Come March, the 1-year period will expire again and I wonder if I should let this happen again, since rates will probably be low. Or should I bite the bullet, pay approximately $2,500 in closing costs to lock in a low rate for 15 or 30 years, but make higher payments? (My payments are ridiculously low.) Cindy, West Yellowstone, MT

This year may go on record as the worst for new-home sales since anyone started keeping record.

We got big numbers today from the U.S. Labor Department. In February, U.S. payrolls increased 192,000 and the jobless rate fell to 8.9 percent --...