The Lede

Bloomberg, Mar. 9, 2018--Lauren Coleman-Lochner, Eliza Ronalds-HannonClaire's Stores Inc., which is said to be preparing a bankruptcy to ease its crushing debt load, is simultaneously working on a second problem: its deep reliance on malls.

National Real Estate Investor, March 8, 2018--Mary DudichSpeculative office construction as a percentage of supply underway is expected reach its highest level in years in 2018. But some experts say there is enough demand out there for new, quality space--even as the national office vacancy rate has not seen a significant drop since 2010.

National Mortgage News, Mar. 12, 2018--Brad Finkelstein (subscription)With the exception of the troubled retail sector, delinquency rates across property types supporting commercial mortgage-backed securities were mostly flat to declining in February compared with January, Fitch Ratings said.

Wall Street Journal, Mar. 13, 2018--Justin Baer, Ryan Tracy (subscription)Ten years ago Wednesday, that was Bear Stearns Cos., a once-storied firm whose excessive leverage had helped put it on the brink. The Federal Reserve tried to limit the damage with extraordinary actions, first extending the firm credit before forcing it into a hasty weekend shotgun marriage to JPMorgan.

Bloomberg, Mar. 12, 2018--Noah BuhayarThe Canyon Industrial Portfolio includes 146 warehouses and distribution centers concentrated in and around Chicago, Dallas, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles and South and Central Florida, according to a statement from Blackstone on Monday.

National Real Estate Investor, Mar. 14, 2018--Mary DiduchThe spread between the cap rates used by Moody's Investors Services, Morningstar Credit Ratings and S&P Global Ratings on conduit loans and the market is widening.

Washington Post, Mar. 14, 2018--Abha BhattaraiToy store chain Toys R Us is planning to sell or close all 800 of its U.S. stores, affecting as many as 33,000 jobs as the company winds down its operations after six decades.

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Grocery-anchored retail centers remain attractive to investors, JLL reported. Investment into grocery-anchored centers increased more than 5 percent last year.

A temporary multifamily construction slowdown reversed course in January--the annual rate for both permits and starts increased significantly from December, reported Axiometrics, Richardson, Texas.

Marcus & Millichap expanded its southern California presence with a new office in El Segundo.

Commercial real estate assets prices generally held steady in early 2018, sector analysts said.

Year-over-year multifamily rent growth fell from 5.5 percent in 2016 to 2.3 percent in December, largely due to one thing: occupancy, reported Yardi Matrix, Santa Barbara, Calif.

Year-over-year multifamily rent growth fell from 5.5 percent in 2016 to 2.3 percent in December, largely due to one thing: occupancy, reported Yardi Matrix, Santa Barbara, Calif.

Year-over-year multifamily rent growth fell from 5.5 percent in 2016 to 2.3 percent in December, largely due to one thing: occupancy, reported Yardi Matrix, Santa Barbara, Calif.