Don't rush into REITs
You'd think that investors would be leery of companies that own and manage commercial real estate. Vacancy rates remain elevated in office buildings and shopping centers. Except for apartment buildings, rents really haven't grown at all in four years. And given the possibility that the global economy may retrench yet again, things could still get worse before they get better.

Commercial Property Transfers
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. to Equity Trust Co., 740 S. 37th St., 40211, $18,000. Heritage Properties to Intrepid Commercial Properties, 204 E. Market St., 40202, $2,700,000. HSBC Mortgage Services Inc.

No consensus yet on Tongie industrial park
The Leavenworth County Commission could not reach an agreement after a study session Monday on a potential contribution to the city of Tonganoxie’s effort to build up its industrial park.  

Fort Washington Office Park burglary suspect eludes police
A man believed to have stolen several items from offices in the Fort Washington Office Park was the focus of a manhunt Jan. 19 that brought out officers and K-9 units from six local police departments.

Carroll County aims to use land for industrial park
Carroll County transfers land to its development group for anticipated industrial and commercial use.

Sabadell United Bank Names Steven A. Cohen Statewide Senior Vice President, Commercial Real Estate
Sabadell United Bank, N.A. has announced that veteran banker Steven A. Cohen has joined the organization as Senior Vice President, Commercial Real Estate.

Rules dispute holding back REITs
THE ESTABLISHMENT of real estate investment trusts (REITs) in the Philippines remains uncertain as the Finance department insists on disputed requirements, but officials are optimistic a compromise will be reached as negotiations continue.

Fireman's Contractors Adds Riverbend Properties as New Commercial Client
DALLAS, Feb. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --  Fireman's Contractors, Inc. (OTCBB: FRCN.OB - News) (OTCQB: FRCN.OB - News) today announced a new commercial contract with Riverbend Properties, a premier Texas business park located ...

Foundation Financial Group Signs Lease Renewal for 24,000 square feet at Galleria Office Park
Colliers International Atlanta announced today the signing of a 24,000-square-foot lease renewal with Foundation Financial Group at the 100 Galleria office building in Atlanta Galleria Office Park, located in the Cumberland/Galleria submarket.Atlanta, Georgia (PRWEB) February 06, 2012 Jacksonville, Fla.-based Foundation Financial Group, which maintains its mortgage operations headquarters in ...

Corporate Real Estate Execs See Compensation Increase by 5%
WASHINGTON, DC-An overwhelming majority of commercial real estate executive respondents—83%—in a survey to be released this week report that their base salary compensation rose 5% in 2011. This compares to a year earlier when 64% reported an increase in base salary in 2010. The survey, conducted by CoreNet Global and FPL Associates, focused specifically on the demand side—that is, executives at ...