Briefly

* Realtors were hardly on the sidelines during the 2003-04 election cycle. The National Assn. of Realtors said it spent a record of nearly $13 million, including dues-funded political advocacy for selected candidates. Of the 439 candidates for the House and Senate supported by the Realtors Political Action Committee, 424 won their races.

* U.S. housing starts rose 6.4% in October to the highest level of the year. The Commerce Department reported that builders broke ground on 2.027 million residential units up from 1.905 million in September.

* The average rate on 30-year fixed mortgages fell last week to 5.74% from 5.76%, according to Freddie Mac. The one-year adjustable rate rose to 4.17% from 4.16%. The 15-year fixed rate fell to 5.15% from 5.16%. Applications for home loans rose in the week ended Nov. 12.