HomeServices buys North Carolina real-estate firm: HomeServices of America Inc. has purchased a three-office real-estate brokerage firm in North Carolina. HomeServices said in a news release today that the newly acquired company, Greensboro, N.C.-based Yost & Little Realty, has more than 140 professionals and reported $230 million in 2009 closings. HomeServices, a Minneapolis-based company owned by Omaha, Neb.-based Berkshire Hathaway, said its Prudential Carolinas Realty will absorb the firm and enhance its leading sales and volume position in the market. Read full story
Airfare jumps at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport: Fares at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport increased by 23.3 percent in the second quarter, the second-highest increase in the United States, new federal data shows. The average price for a domestic trip increased to $393 from $319 in the prior-year period, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Leading the nation were fares in Charleston, S.C., which increased by 24.5 percent, from $371 to $461. The largest decrease was Grand Rapids, Mich.’s 6 percent drop. Read full story
Target to sell Apple iPhones on Nov. 7: Target Corp. will sell Apple Inc.’s iPhone starting Sunday. The Minneapolis-based discount retailer said its 846 stores with Target Mobile centers will carry the iPhone4 and iPhone3GS and offer in-store activation. “Our guests will be able to leave the store with a new, working iPhone3GS or iPhone4 in-hand,” said Target Senior Vice President of Merchandising Mark Schindele in a news release. Read full story
Buy anything electronic from Target at your own risk. You WILL be treated as a criminal if you should have the misfortune to need to return your item. I have seen grown men reduced to near tears as they tried to return defective items to Target with ALL the appropriate paperwork and intact boxes.