CAX, a Tysons Corner architectural firm based in Virginia, has merged with California-based KTGY Group.

Casa Feliz, an apartment building in San Jose, Calif., was built with environmentally friendly materials, has furniture made from sustainably farmed wood and efficient appliances. But the building wasn’t built for trendy professionals; it was designed for families who earn less than 35 percent of San Jose’s $103,500 median income.

Apparently 22 stories weren’t enough. Mukesh Ambani, the world’s fourth richest person, is now the proud owner of a 27-story residence in Mumbai, India. The $1 billion structure will be home to Ambani, his wife, their three children and 600 full-time staff. Some of the niceties include three helipads, several swimming pools, a movie theater, and a six-story, 160-car garage.

Despite the stagnant and uncertain economy, renters are returning to the market in massive numbers, the Wall Street Journal reported. Nationwide, the vacancy rate fell 0.7 percent during the third quarter, one of the sharpest declines on record, to 7.2 percent.

Nearly a third of Americans probably can’t qualify for a mortgage and less than half can qualify for the best rates, even with a large down payment, according to a new report from real estate website Zillow.com.

A new survey of nearly 10,000 consumers across 43 states by John Burns Real Estate Consulting reveals several interesting findings on what buyers want in a home and community today. For instance, only 17 percent of respondents said price was most important; location and home style/design ranked highest.

Federal housing regulators must stop obstructing programs that make energy efficiency upgrades and renewable energy projects affordable for American homeowners, according to a lawsuit filed by the Natural Resources Defense Council.

A home in Victoria, B.C., has earned “Petal Recognition” in the Living Building Challenge, making it one of the greenest buildings in the world.

The first Emerald-status home in Illinois, and one of only 21 nationwide, has been built in Wheaton, Ill. JAW Builders created the 3,600-square-foot, single-family home, which features geothermal heating and cooling, recycled wood substrate siding, and bamboo flooring.

Southern California home builder TRI Pointe Homes, LLC, Newport Beach, Calif., has entered into a strategic partnership with an affiliate of Starwood Capital Group Global, LP, a leading global private equity firm focused on real estate. The partnership infuses TRI Pointe Homes with $150 million in new strategic growth equity capital to drive the expansion of its home building operations in California and the Western Region.