Realty Executives Expands Reach in California

Real estate franchise Realty Executives is looking to add to its approximately 700 outposts and 11,000 employees. The firm has launched 13 new franchises in California since July 2009 and is looking to expand further.

National Apartment Report: Sector Set for Recovery

The worst is over for the U.S. apartment market, according to Marcus and Millichap’s 2010 National Apartment Report. A survey of 44 nationwide markets based on forecast supply and demand conditions, the report found that a drop in construction has set the stage for a recovery this year.

Approval of Master Plan Paves Way for Beleaguered GGP’s Massive Mixed-Use Project in Suburban Maryland

Debt-laden General Growth Properties is in the midst of restructuring after having filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy projection in April 2009, but the Chicago-based REIT is not allowing its current financial woes to sideline development plans.

Economy Watch: Unemployment Rate Back to Single Digits

The U.S. Department of Labor surprised the nation on Friday by announcing that the official unemployment rate dropped to 9.7 percent in January. Commercial real estate isn’t breaking out the noisemakers just yet, but maybe the bottom has arrived.

SPECIAL REPORT: Educational Sessions at Conference Reflect Mortgage Banker’s Concern with Problem Loans

Las Vegas—Master servicers are seeing more borrowers trying to force the transfer of their loans to special servicing, according to Kevin Donahue, senior vice president of PNC Real Estate/Midland Loan Services Inc. “Borrowers are becoming a little savvier” in pursuing their alternatives, said Donahue. They understand that the master servicer cannot perform “material modifications” on the loan, he said.