With a Boost from U.S. Market Activity, Global Investment Volumes to Reach $478B

It is no secret that worldwide commercial real estate investment volumes took a nosedive in 2009. However, last year’s lackluster level of activity will be just a bad memory given the positive 2010 forecast detailed in Cushman & Wakefield’s 2010 Global Investment Atlas, which the commercial real estate services firm launched March 16th at the annual MIPIM world property market conference in Cannes, France.

Awful ’09 Making Way for Hopeful ’10: IPD Conference Speakers

The U.S. commercial real estate market turned in the worst performance on record in 2009, posting a return of -17.1 percent for the year, according to results of IPD’s first U.S. annual index. IPD unveiled the findings and the index during a presentation Tuesday morning in Midtown Manhattan.

Economy Watch: Housing Starts Down Because of Snow — and the Economy

Housing starts nationwide stumbled in February according to the U.S. Department of Commerce on Tuesday. Some observers cited the weather for the decline, but the relentless drumbeats of unemployment, tight credit and foreclosures were probably also factors.

Fitch: $74B Backlog Awaits CMBS Special Servicers

The good news: According to Fitch ratings, CMBS special servicers are making tracks through distressed loans and resolved approximately $8.7 billion in 2009. The bad news: There’s a long way to go.

Insights from MBA: Dave Hendrickson

Jones Lang LaSalle’s Dave Hendrickson talks from the MBA-CREF conference about the commercial and multi-family acquisitions market.