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The article focuses on Robert Verrone, the head of banking company, Wachovia Corp. In less than three years, Verrone has taken Wachovia ahead of traditional U.S. industry leaders. He is known for controversial deals and for issuing $50 million-plus mortgages at a time when prices for large commercial properties are at record levels. He is one the biggest drivers of mortgage-backed securities in the U.S. His personal and career history are discussed.

The article reports that the Follieri Group of Italy has been attempting to purchase properties for sale by financially troubled U.S. Catholic churches. The Follieri Group has purchased some properties such as the Transfiguration Church in Philadelphia, which it plans to develop into affordable housing. The firm states that it wishes to purchase property for charitable use.

This article discusses the growing use of high-end parties among real-estate developers to increase their business. These developers have begun throwing increasingly extravagant parties, with celebrity guests and expensive gifts, for real-estate brokers and potential clients in an effort to reduce the backlog of highly-priced luxury condominiums.

The article reports that homes built on former military bases are not selling well. Lennar Corp. bought two former military bases for $2 in one of the country's most desirable markets. But the San Francisco, California, development is not attracting the expected buyers. People around the southern San Francisco site question the environmental safety of the area and need more affordable housing. Those in suburban Vallejo criticize the builder for not developing job-creating commercial property.

The article mentions the Polish real estate market and David Mitzner, a Houston developer who was born in Warsaw, and discusses foreign investment. Data is given showing high returns on investments in office buildings and cross-border purchases. Mr. Mitzner, an octogenarian comments on his interest in finding deals in Russia, Romania, and Ukraine. Factors contributing to higher prices include a flow of capital from American and European investors into emerging markets, including eastern Europe. Analyst Richard Barkham of Grosvenor Group and others comment on real-estate investment.

The article focuses on the German real estate market. According to the author, investors from across the world have descended on Europe's largest economy looking for deals. The author reviews how foreign buyers are buying suburban malls, apartments and office buildings. It is suggested that German investors have little interest in putting more money in real estate because of problems with the country's open-ended funds.

The article reports that New York is considering adopting London's security approach called "the ring of steel." The system, which surrounds the City of London, consists of a series of closed circuit cameras and narrowed streets that allow police to easily observe and control the area. New York would use the closed circuit technology and introduce controlled entrances and exits to lower Manhattan.

The article reports on the downfall of Manahattan real estate mogul Adam Hochfelder. Founder of Max Capital Management Corp., Hochfelder was responsible for high profile real estate deals in the most prestigious locations in Manahattan. In the past year, Hochfelder has defaulted on loans and been involved in lawsuits concerning the financing of some of his projects. Hochfelder's problems could be a preview of what other investors may face in a falling real estate market.

The article profiles real estate veteran and builder Larry Silverstein and his efforts to build five new towers on the site of the attacks on the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. One tower will open in March, but Mr. Silverstein is having trouble acquiring tenants for the space, perhaps because, as some state and city officials claim, the downtown area needs shopping, housing, and hotels more than offices. Mr. Silverstein has the right to build on the property because he signed a 99-year lease on the World Trade Center six weeks before the attacks. However, little has been rebuilt on the site in the past four years. The article considers the potential reasons for this and some of the challenges faced by Mr. Silverstein.

The article reports that financing is being cut and standards are being tightened for condominium projects by some the largest lenders in the U.S. This could be an indication that banks are becoming wary of the prospects for residential properties. Reference is made to the fact that banks have begun requiring developers to sell condo units faster while putting more of their own money into the projects. Banks which once offered cheap debt are now cutting back on loans. The policies of several companies are profiled, including UBS AG, Merrill Lynch & Co., CapitalSource Finance LLC, and Bear Stearns Cos.

The article focuses on Andrew Stone, a former executive at Credit Suisse Group's Credit Suisse First Boston. Mr. Stone is trying to enter the commercial mortgage-backed securites markets after a controversial career on Wall Street. There is uncertainty that he will be able to raise all the money he needs to introduce his hedge fund, Petra. Both Mr. Stone and CSFB do not comment on the losses or Mr. Stone's plans. Ethan Penner, Stone's former rival who was accused of diverting funds in the 1990s, is considering a comeback.

Discusses the outlook for the real-estate bonds market, in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. The risk in some commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS); Companies that are tied to CMBS deals in the disaster regions of Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi; Specific properties with exposure to the New Orleans disaster, such as the Causeway Plaza office complex; Prediction of a 1% default rate in the CMBS industry; What the commercial-property owners are eligible for under the National Flood Insurance Program; Efforts of GMAC Commercial Mortgage to reach borrowers in the affected area; Assertion that other real-estate bonds might not be affected.

Examines how Australian pension funds are buying up U.S. commercial real estate, adding to growth in the market in 2005. Statistics related to the value of U.S. property purchased by Australian investors; How the U.S. commercial real-estate market is setting records for the high prices buildings are commanding, largely from foreign investors; Reasons for foreign investors' confidence in U.S. commercial real-estate investment.

Reports that the boom in real estate investing has produced a record year for commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS), signalling a shift in real-estate financing from banks to the securities industry. Potential for investor behavior to drive up the price of housing and cause property buyers to overreach; Comments from Rob Brennan, who runs Credit Suisse First Boston's real-estate finance and securitization group, regarding the CMBS market; Comparison of real-estate borrowing through CMBS debt in 2005 and 2004, noting an increase; Growth of the CMBS market in the past decade.

Reports that real estate executive Donald Trump filled a $1 billion lawsuit against a group of his Hong Kong investment partners, including Vincent H. S. Lo. Statement that Lo will appear in a reality television program called "The Winner," modeled after Trump's television program "The Apprentice"; Claim that Lo is building his brand in China; Dispute between Trump and Lo over a New York property that will be sold to Carlyle Group and Extell Management Company; Claim of Trump that the property is being sold for too little money.

The article reports that U.S. renters are beginning to resort to one-upmanship tactics to secure a choice apartment amidst rising interest rates and increasing home values.

The article offers news briefs on the real state market in the U.S., including the acquisition of Trinity Design by Architects HKS Inc.

The article reports on the growth of commercial real-estate investment in the Asia-Pacific region in the first half of 2006.

The article reports that real estate developer DMB Associates Inc. is hosting upscale retailers and potential condominium buyers at the New York Fashion Week in September 2006.

The article presents news briefs concerning the real estate market in the U.S. as of September 2006, including one about the decision of Tishman Speyer Properties to close its first deal in India.

The article reports on the plan of MetLife Inc. to sell a 110-building property in Manhattan, New York in 2006.

The article reports on the aggressive loans given by Corus Bankshares Inc. for companies investing on condominiums.

This article offers news briefs in the U.S. real estate market including the partnership of Onex Real Estate and Muss Development LLC for the development of a retail and residential project in Flushing Meadows.

This article reports on a plan by SL Green Realty Corp. to acquire Reckson Associates Realty in cash and stock.

The article reports on the problems and condition of commercial and multi-family residential mortgages in the U.S., as of August 2006.

The article presents news briefs on the real estate market in the U.S. as of August 2006, including the loan payments problem of some condominium developers.

Reports that China's regulations for property investments could influence the decision of Western investors to enter the market.

The article offers news briefs on the real estate market, including the conversion of the Hit Factory music studio in Manhattan, New York City into a 27-unit condominium complex.

Presents news briefs on the real estate market in the U.S., including the expansion of the services offered by PropertyShark.com, relocation of economic consultancy firm MFR Inc., and the growth of the apartment and condominium conversion market in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Reports on a meeting among landlords, academics and real-estate investors in London, England to discuss standards that companies could adopt to promote social responsibility.

Presents news briefs on the real estate market in the U.S. including the efforts of developers to sell slow-moving luxury condominiums, the slow-down of the commercial construction market, and the increase in office-building and apartment values.

Reports on the plan of Tiffany & Co. to open a store on Wall Street, New York City which is the latest sign that the financial district is being remade into a haven for luxury lifestyles.

The article reports that condominium designer Shaya Boymelgreen and financial backer Lev Leviev have entered into contracts to sell three parcels in downtown Miami, Florida.

Presents an update on the real estate market in the U.S.

Reports on the increase in the sales of real-estate credit derivatives in the U.S.

Reports on technological developments at golf ranges in the U.S. as of June 12, 2006.

Reports on the move of several mortgage companies to convert away from their real-estate investment trust status after experiencing volatile returns.

Reports on the decision of GIC Real Estate Pte. Ltd., the real estate investment unit of the Singaporean government, to invest into Campus Apartments Inc., a college housing developer in the U.S.

Presents news briefs related to the real estate market in the U.S. as of May 2006 including the entry of former Dallas Cowboys football quarterback Troy Aikman in the real estate business.

Presents updates in the international real estate industry as of April 26, 2006 including the low number of strip-mall tenants occupying space in the U.S.

Reports on the popularity of commercial real-estate collateralized debt obligations, a type of bond backed by sophisticated loans to help developers finance real estate portfolios.

Reports on the reluctance of banks and private lenders to finance the redevelopment of brownfield sites in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Reports on the entry of real-estate developer and entrepreneur Donald Trump into the mortgage business with the formal introduction of Trump Mortgage which offers mortgages to homeowners and financial advisory service to commercial developers.

Presents updates related to real estate business as of March 22, 2006, such as the expansion of Grubb & Ellis in New York City.

The article reports that Irish investors are outcompeting royal families and other rich buyers to acquire buildings in some of the world's expensive real-estate markets.

Reports on the acquisition deals in the real estate investment market in the U.S. in March 2006.

Presents updates in the real estate industry as of March 1, 2005, including the 4 building projects of developer Jeremy Green in Miami, Florida.

This article reports on the index to be unveiled by economists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology that can better compare the performance of commercial real estate to other investments like stocks and bonds as of February 2006.

The article reports on the status of the real estate market in Park City, Utah four years after hosting many of Salt Lake City's Olympic events.

The article presents updates on the real estate market as of February 2006, including the plan of Chinese Estates Holdings Ltd. to spin off some of its property holdings into new real-estate investment trust.