Stores sales plunged as much as 8% and online sales dropped for the first time since they’ve been recorded.

Existing home sales in Southern states sank nearly 24 percent in November compared to the same month last year, and two markets in North Carolina were part of the trend.

The value of homes in South Carolina actually rose in the third quarter of 2008 compared with the same time last year as national home values dropped.

A new mixed-use development in downtown Charleston is providing a “green” living experience. One Cool Blow utilizes a sustainable design and materials as well as cutting edge technologies, including a green roof.

One in every 452 housing units received a foreclosure filing, such as a default notice, auction sale notice or bank repossession.

A fiberboard manufacturing facility in South Carolina is closing, taking about 100 jobs from the Holly Hill area.

Builders have slashed construction of new homes to the slowest pace since early 1991 when the country was in a deep recession.