With mortgage rates hovering around record lows andaffordability at a record high potential home buyers alreadyhave

With mortgage rates hovering around record lows andaffordability at a record high, potential home buyers alreadyhave several good reasons to be house hunting. But people are still hesitant to buy with unemployment atits highest level since 1983 and home prices, by some accounts,forecast to fall another 20 percent through the end of nextyear. Rockrose is not alone in offering what was once unthinkableto draw in buyers. Luxury home builder Toll Brothers (TOL.N) is offering alofty $100,000 incentive to spur sales for its residences atBelle Lago Villas, located in southwest Florida, in Estero. The incentive is flexible and can be used towardcustomizing options, like upgraded flooring or kitchenappliances, or financing options such as using the incentivetoward closing costs or buying down rates -- whatever the buyerchooses. "The incentive has been well-received and we have seenincreased interest," said Ken Thirtyacre, president of theFlorida West Division of Toll Brothers.

Rockrose, a privately held developer based in New York, isconverting a 27-story lower Manhattan rental building intohundreds of condominiums and needs to find buyers fast asprices in Manhattan -- which had held off the steeplosses seen in other parts of the country -- fall fast. "For those sitting on the sidelines, this gives them asense of security and a motivation to act," said KathleenScott, director of sales at Rockrose The U.S. housing market is in the worst downturn since theGreat Depression and its impact has rippled through therecession-hit economy, as well as the rest of the world. Astrong spring season may hasten a turnaround for the housingsector and portend a recovery for the U.S economy, the world'slargest The U.S. government is offering an $8,000 tax credit, partof the stimulus bill, for first-time home buyers, which ishelping boost sales in some regions.

But many people, who areunemployed or who fear they may lose their job, aredisinterested in purchasing a home. Toll Brothers, in response, recently launched a programcalled the "Mortgage Protection Plan" in which the company paysfor a buyer's mortgage if the buyer becomes unemployed. The Commerce Department said new home sales climbed 4.7percent in February after reaching a record low in January.Sales have declined by 41.1 percent over the past year and are75.7 percent below their July 2005 peak. Slashing already record low mortgage rates is another pathbeing taken Home builder Lennar Corp. (LEN.N) is offering afixed 3.625 percent rate on certain 30-year fixed-ratemortgages for qualified buyers, substantially below averagerates that have been hovering in the range of 4.70 to 4.80percent. The low rate, however, comes with an array ofstipulations.NYU's White said some incentives can help spur sales,while others are gimmicks for media attention.

"If it helps sell a home, then it certainly is a success,"he said. (Additional Reporting by Lucia Mutikani; Editing by LeslieAdler) Stocks Bonds Global Markets. Last year, I watched the Dr. But he also wanted to play football for the University of Colorado.  The NCAA decided that he was a professional athlete (which he was, in extreme skiing) and that to play football he would have to renounce his endorsements and professional status.   The NCAA's message to Bloom: "You can't have endorsements, but we can." Perhaps the NCAA would have a better podium from which to speak of wealth-ethics if it turned down companies who construct their products using cheap Third World sweatshop labor, or who are polluters, or who contribute to America's "obesity crisis."  But no, they have the cash, and they get the exposure.