Building Is Booming in a City of Empty Houses

Laura Rauch for The New York Times

A party for a new development in Las Vegas, Reserve at Coronado Ranch, drew a crowd of agents, investors and bankers.

By DAVID STREITFELD
Published: May 15, 2010

LAS VEGAS — In a plastic tent under a glorious desert sky, Richard Lee preached the gospel of the second chance.

Josh Snider and Cindy Rojas visited the lot for their home at Coronado Ranch in Las Vegas, developed by America West.

The chance to make money on the next housing boom “is like it’s never been,â€