The Lede

National Real Estate Investor, Aug. 24, 2018--David Bodamer Five of the top 10 markets for commercial and multifamily construction starts in the first half of 2018 showed increased activity compared to the same period in 2017.

Wall Street Journal, Aug. 27, 2018--Esther Fung (subscription)CBRE Global Investors has purchased a 49% stake in three malls in a deal that values them at more than $1 billion and shows that investors still have an appetite for top-tier retail property.

National Real Estate Investor, Aug. 30, 2018--Beth Mattson-TeigLife company lenders remain firmly at the table when it comes to commercial real estate financing despite tighter spreads and a push by some borrowers for more flexible pre-payment options.

National Mortgage Professional, Aug. 27, 2018--Phil HallPrices of commercial real estate loans underlying commercial mortgage-backed securities were down slightly in July.

Offices of the Mortgage Bankers Association will be closed Monday, Sept. 3 in observation of the Labor Day holiday.

Commercial and multifamily mortgage borrowing and lending have started 2018 at the second fastest pace on record, with first-half 2018 originations lower only than those of the first half of 2007. This week's chart shows origination growth for the four main categories of loans from 2009 to 2018 (year to date).

Low rental home inventory relative to demand fueled the growth of single-family rental rates in the first half, reported CoreLogic, Irvine, Calif.

A "wall" of domestic and global capital, economic growth and a low interest rate environment led to broadly stable capitalization rates for U.S. commercial real estate in first-half 2018, reported CBRE, Los Angeles.

Commercial and multifamily mortgage borrowing and lending have started 2018 at the second fastest pace on record, with first-half 2018 originations lower only than those of the first half of 2007. This week's chart shows origination growth for the four main categories of loans from 2009 to 2018 (year to date).

Commercial and multifamily mortgage borrowing and lending have started 2018 at the second fastest pace on record, with first-half 2018 originations lower only than those of the first half of 2007. This week's chart shows origination growth for the four main categories of loans from 2009 to 2018 (year to date).

The rest of 2018 should see strong multifamily real estate activity, Berkadia's Mid-Year Powerhouse Poll said.

Several metrics and indicators suggest commercial real estate is in a ‘late stable' stage of the market cycle for most property types in most geographies, said RCLCO, Bethesda, Md.

The Mortgage Bankers Association welcomed 12 new regular members to its ranks, which currently numbers more than 2,300 member companies.