The Herald Tribune reports from Florida. "When it comes to competing to land manufacturing jobs, Florida just doesn't stand a chance. Never was that reality clearer than on Thursday, when the state received a double-barreled message: North Carolina will gain not only a new Chris-Craft Corp. boat plant, but an Indian Motorcycle Co. factory as well."

"'It's frustrating that we are not able to make it financially feasible for them to continue expanding here,' said Nancy Engel, of the Economic Development Council in Manatee County, where Chris-Craft is based. 'We try to work with the state, and we look at incentives, but when it comes to the cost of land in a high-growth area, and the impact that has on affordable housing, there's not a lot we can do.'"

From Florida Today. "A key annual survey takes stock of Brevard County manufacturing firms to identify industry trends and challenges and, hopefully, produce more jobs. That's needed because Brevard is seeing its manufacturing shrink. The county lost 1,500 manufacturing jobs in the past year."

"The annual report is all the more important because one benefit Brevard used to boast is a card that can no longer be played: lower housing prices."

The Orlando Sentinel. "The figures released Thursday show that June's inventory was up by only 258 listings from May, far less than the April-to-May jump of 2,143 homes, the Orlando Regional Realtor Association said."

"For Christine and John Rombough, who are nervously trying to sell their north Orlando home because of an out-of-state job transfer, the easing of the record buildup in inventory is encouraging. 'We'll take any ray of hope,' Christine Rombough said."

"Their four-bedroom, two-bath home has been on the market for more than a month, with few signs of buyer interest. They recently trimmed the asking price from $320,000 to $314,900. Her husband is commuting between Orlando and Charlotte, N.C., while they try to sell the home in what this year has become a buyer's market."

"'We didn't get to pick' when to list the home for sale, she said, because of the surprise transfer. 'Last year, the neighborhood was just hopping' with quick sales. 'Now, there are no flocks out there, she said."

"Existing-home sales in the Realtors' core Orlando market, mainly Orange and Seminole counties, fell 14 percent in June compared with June 2005, which was the peak month of last year's record home-sales market. The June dip was partly the result of this year's record buildup in homes available for sale, said Beverly Pindling, the local Realtor association's president."

"New homes are also providing more competition for the resale market, as builders offer a range of incentives and marketing deals to stimulate interest as mortgage-interest rates continue to rise."

"Stephen and Chandra Smith recently decided to renew their apartment lease in Avalon Park in east Orange County rather than try to buy a home or condo, once they got a look at high asking prices. One condominium unit they considered was priced at $325,000, even though it was about the same size as the two-bedroom apartment they are leasing for $1,080 a month."

From a Jacksonville television station. "Jacksonville real estate agents say the market is turning in favor of the buyer. University of North Florida economics professor Mary Borg thinks house prices will drop soon. 'A lot of sort of average income people were priced out of the housing market, so now that prices are coming down it's good for the average consumer and will spur economic growth,' said Borg."