By Paul House, Jones Lang LaSalle

Transaction flow in all product types, led by multifamily and office, has surged from the record-low level established in 2009; through the third quarter, the four primary sectors have seen a combined increase in volume of 92 percent for the year, and full-year sales volume appears headed toward $95 billion.

The Highlands at Plaza Square is a 415-unit Class A property located in downtown New Brunswick, N.J. It was purchased by Highlands Urban Renewal L.L.C., which is controlled by Manulife Financial Corp.

U.S. gross domestic product came in at an annualized growth rate of 3.2 percent for the fourth quarter of 2010, according to the Bureau of Labor Analysis’ advance estimate. That’s a little more than the historic norm for the last 30 years (3.05 percent growth per year), but not as much as expected nor as much as desired after a recession.

Jason Warner will be responsible for expanding the mission critical solutions department throughout the West Coast along with coordinating with the firm’s corporate solutions group and its corporate clients’ technical real estate needs.

Economy Watch reporter Dees Stribling offers insights into the top economic news of the week ending Jan. 28 and what to watch out for in the coming week.

The two firms are considering a potential teaming of equals in which the two firms would combine in an all-stock, at-market transaction.

The Mortgage Bankers Association shared its annual assessment of the commercial real estate industry during its recent State of the Real Estate Finance Industry media conference call, during which the association also discussed its legislative and regulatory agenda. So what’s going on in the commercial real estate finance industry? In a nutshell, uncertainty about jobs and the economy.

What caused the financial crisis of the late 2000s? History will have to decide, because the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission couldn’t quite come to a conclusion, even with the publication of a 545-page report after months of inquiries. The panel of 10 ended up offering a Democratic view of the crisis, with two Republicans dissenting.

The firm was chosen by World Premier Investments and United American Properties to oversee four of the partners’ shopping centers in California and Illinois.

Jones Lang LaSalle has entered into an agreement to broaden its commercial mortgage banking business via the acquisition of Primary Capital Advisors’ commercial real estate lending and servicing group. The purchase, which includes a $2 billion loan servicing program that JLL plans to expand nationally, is expected to close this quarter.