Lennar's $9.3 billion merger with a rival perfectly captures 2 of the biggest problems with housing

Lennar has agreed to buy CalAtlantic Group for $9.3 billion, in a deal that would create America's largest homebuilder by market cap.  The combined company would be in a better position to combat rising land and labor costs while cashing in on red-hot demand for housing. Recent hurricanes raise the need for homebuilders' services, but could divert resources from filling a more widespread inventory shortage.   The homebuilder Lennar announced Monday that it would buy CalAtlantic...