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By James Brennan, Exchange Solutions Group L.L.C.:

Commercial real estate executives often experience increased transaction velocity around year’s-end. Whether it is the company’s tax year or an external impetus driving a transaction, such as a counter party’s tax year, the end result is the same: Executives end up contemplating the advantages and disadvantages of structuring end of the year like-kind exchanges.

By David Thaw, Gumbiner Savett Inc.:

There are a number of options when it comes to dealing with non-performing assets, and much of it depends on the status of the property. The loan may be heading for default or the owner may have already completed a workout with the lender. No matter what the action, it is prudent to consider the tax consequences to ensure that your choice provides the best outcome in the long run.

By Steven Marks, Fitch Ratings:

After withstanding a difficult year of operating fundamentals in 2009, property fundamentals have begun to trend positively for retail REITs, which now have a stable outlook through 2011.

Source: SNL Financial

By Robert Bach, Grubb & Ellis Co.

The office, industrial and retail markets all recorded a very modest drop of 10 basis points in their third-quarter vacancy rates. Asking rental rates typically lag vacancy, and at this early stage of the recovery cycle, landlords have little pricing power with the exception of some apartments and selected high-quality office and retail properties in primary markets.