The Lede

National Real Estate Investor, Dec. 15, 2017--Mary DiduchIt appears the retail sector is evolving into a case of the "haves" and "have nots."

Bloomberg, Dec. 15, 2017--Joe LightA plan being developed by Republican Bob Corker of Tennessee and Democrat Mark Warner of Virginia would lower barriers to entry by removing some advantages Fannie and Freddie now possess. "If you want to eliminate too-big-to-fail, you need to have enough guarantors that you'd really let one fail in the event of a downturn," said Mortgage Bankers Association President David Stevens.

Wall Street Journal, Dec. 17, 2017--Keiko Morris (subbscription)The final Republican tax bill coming up for a vote this week promises to hit some high-income New York area taxpayers hard. But commercial real estate owners have reason to cheer.

Bloomberg, Dec. 18, 2017--Lauren Coleman-Lochner, Matthew TownsendToys "R" Us Inc., which filed for bankruptcy in September, is considering closing at least 100 U.S. stores in the face of weak holiday sales.

Offices of the Mortgage Bankers Association will be closed Dec. 22-Jan. 2 for the holidays. MBA Commercial/Multifamily NewsLink will not publish on Thursday, Dec. 28 but will resume publishing on Thursday, Jan. 4. On behalf of MBA officers and staff, have a safe and happy holiday.

CBRE, Los Angeles, says the best strategy for commercial real estate investors and occupiers in 2018 comes down to one word: "agility."

The U.S. lodging industry could see continued record occupancy through 2019, predicted CBRE Hotels, Atlanta.

Following its policy meeting yesterday, the Federal Open Market Committee announced it raised the federal funds rate a quarter-point to 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 percent. In its statement, the FOMC noted the labor department "continued to strengthen" and economic activity "has been rising at a solid rate."

Special servicing volume and loan defaults remain low for commercial mortgage-backed securities loans disbursed after 2010.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency yesterday published Duty to Serve program market plans for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac for the next two years.

Multifamily investing conditions grew "modestly stronger" in the third quarter, reported Freddie Mac, McLean, Va.

Multifamily investing conditions grew "modestly stronger" in the third quarter, reported Freddie Mac, McLean, Va.

Multifamily investing conditions grew "modestly stronger" in the third quarter, reported Freddie Mac, McLean, Va.