Houston Housing Market Ends 2011 in Positive Territory

According to the Houston Association of Realtors (HAR), after several months in which home sales figures were skewed by the effects of the 2010 homebuyer tax credit, the Houston real estate market concluded 2011 solidly in the black. December marked the seventh straight month of incre
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REIT Invests $166.5M in Health Care Facility Assets

Griffin-American Healthcare REIT II (formerly known as Grubb & Ellis Healthcare REIT II) completed its purchase of 10 skilled nursing facilities across four states from Wellington Healthcare Services LP for $ 166.5 million. The portfolio is comprised of 1,364 beds in four states
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The Hampshire Cos Acquires Florida CVS Portfolio for $19M

The Hampshire Companies, a full-service real estate investment firm with equity topping $ 2.5 billion, has acquired six 11,200-square-foot, free-standing CVS/pharmacy stores totaling 67,500 square feet across Florida for $ 19 million, averaging $ 262 per square foot, from The Sembler
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S&P downgrades euro zone rescue fund (Reuters)

Reuters – U.S. rating agency Standard & Poor’s cut its credit rating of the euro zone’s EFSF rescue fund on Monday, and Greece was under pressure to break a deadlock in debt swap talks if it is to avoid an unruly default. Yahoo! News: Business News
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Commercial Property Management – Essential Maintenance Practices Part 2

In continuing the tips for managing the maintenance in a commercial or retail property here are some more ideas for commercial property managers and landlords. The permitted use relating to tenancy space and tenant occupancy under the terms of each and every lease, should comply with
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UDR/MetLife II Acquires Columbus Square Apts for $630M

UDR/MetLife II UDR, Inc., a leading multifamily real estate investment trust, formed a new real estate joint venture with MetLife, known as UDR/MetLife II, with each party owning a 50-percent interest in a $ 1.3 billion portfolio of 12 multifamily communities totaling 2,528 apartment
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Orlando Home Prices Jump 12% in December, End 2011 in the Black

Orlando, FL (ORLANDO, FL) — According to the Orlando Regional Realtor Association (ORRA), Orlando’s median home price spiked in December and was enough to nudge the 2011 cumulative year-end median 1.29 percent above that of 2010, and end the year in the black. The cumulati
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Beijing’s Office Rents Explode 41% Over Last Year

Beijing, China According to a new report by Jones Lang LaSalle, rent of Grade A office and warehouse property increased throughout the whole of 2011: Office – Continued strong demand and ongoing limited available space has significantly boosted rents. Retail – Strong deman
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CoStar’s People of Note (Jan. 8-14)

This week’s People of Note includes the following markets: Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco and South Bay. LOS ANGELES Griffin Capital Taps Sales Veteran as Pres. of Capital Markets By Lauri
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BankUnited Provides $43 Million Loan

BankUnited lent $ 43,284,000 in a commercial loan to Trekker Tractor LLC and Puerto Rico Wire Group, not only to refinance the owner-occupied real estate, but for working capital and equipment. Trekker Tractor, headquartered in Miami with a training center in West Palm Beach, FL, supp
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