News

Economy Watch: Mortgages, HUD, Subway

CoreLogic reported that fully 11.1 million, or 23.1 percent of all U.S. residential properties with a mortgage were underwater at the end of the fourth quarter of 2010, up from 10.8 million, or 22.5 percent, in the third quarter. The increase reflects price declines, according to the company.

Chicago’s Recovery Promises Higher Rents

By Veronica Grecu, Associate Editor
Judging by the falling number of loan delinquencies, rising property values and increased rents for office buildings, Chicago’s commercial real estate shows signs of recovery from the credit crisis and recession. This will have a positive […]

American Assets Trust Buys 365,000-SF Office Property

First & Main, a Portland, Ore., office building that just opened its doors last summer, will soon get a new owner. American Assets Trust Inc. has entered into a definitive agreement with the building’s owner and developer, Shorenstein Properties L.L.C., to acquire the trophy asset for $129 million.

Economy Watch: Foreclosures, Jobs, Loans

The state attorneys general are discussing the terms of a settlement for robo-signing, which could mean the banks ponying up some cash or providing mortgage modifications — or both.

Manhattan Retail Condo Commands $324M

Spain’s Inditex Group purchased the 38,750-square-foot space, the former home of an NBA store, from a joint venture involving Carlyle Group, Crown Acquisitions and Kushner Cos.

ProLogis Closes First Leg of $505M Catellus Sale

As per the agreement with TPG Capital, ProLogis will retain a preferred equity interest in Catellus, which the global distribution facilities provider acquired in 2005 in a $5.5 billion acquisition. The total consideration for the first tranche was $353 million.

Economy Watch: Jobs, CRE Values, Inflation

The fact that employers hired 192,000 workers in February counts as good news, but other details from the monthly jobs report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics speak of lingering problems in the labor market.

Pantzer, Dune Real Estate Strike $460M JV

Pantzer Properties and Dune Real Estate Partners have turned the page on the Magazine Portfolio, a 2,500-unit, eight-property holding located in the Washington, D.C., metro area.

CPE Radio: Dees Stribling’s Economy Watch Weekly

Economy Watch reporter Dees Stribling offers insights into the top economic news of the week ending March 4 and what to watch out for in the coming week.

New Co-Owner, New Big Lease for 1 Park Ave.

In simultaneous transactions, Vornado Realty Trust acquired a 95 percent stake in the 933,300-square-foot Midtown Manhattan office tower and a major tenant doubled its occupancy in the building under a new lease agreement.