The Lede

Bloomberg, Nov. 1, 2018--Gillian TanJones Lang LaSalle subsidiary LaSalle Investment Management is betting big on commercial real estate debt. LaSalle is acquiring a majority stake in Latitude Management Real Estate Investors, which manages $1.2 billion across credit funds. Latitude provides short-term, or bridge, loans to borrowers focused on commercial property in regions of the U.S. deemed to be growing.

Crain's Chicago Business, Nov. 2, 2018The hedge funds that now own the Toys "R" Us brand plan to relaunch the toy retailer as a standalone operation next year. They will look to raise capital to help revive the chain, which closed its last stores at the end of June, and are making plans that include brick-and-mortar locations.

Commercial Property Executive, Nov. 2, 2018--Paul FiorillaThe Treasury Department's release of guidelines for opportunity zones has unleashed a flood of managers raising funds to invest in low-income areas and take advantage of tax breaks.

Wall Street Journal, Nov. 5, 2018--Sarah Nassauer (subscription)Lowe's Cos. Inc. said it would close nearly 50 stores as a new CEO seeks to boost sales by shedding less-profitable locations and focus spending elsewhere.

World Property Journal, Nov. 1, 2018--Monsef RachidAccording to the Mortgage Bankers Association's annual report on the U.S. multifamily lending market, strong market conditions helped fuel a 6 percent increase in multifamily lending in 2017, as lenders provided a record high $285 billion in new mortgages for apartment buildings with five or more units.

National Mortgage News, Nov. 7, 2018--Elina Tarkazikis (free article)California voters rejected Proposition 10, which would have reduced state restrictions on municipal rent control laws that proponents said would create more affordable housing options for tenants, but was opposed by real estate and mortgage industry interests. "We recognized early on that this could have a very far-reaching impact on the multifamily industry and the housing industry, so we're very pleased with the outcome of the election," said Sharon Walker, associate vice president of multifamily at the Mortgage Bankers Association.

The multifamily mortgage market is large and diverse, with 2,554 lenders making 44,623 loans totaling a record $285 billion in 2017 involving loans ranging in size from thousands of dollars to hundreds of millions of dollars.

The commercial mortgage-backed securities loan delinquency rate reversed its consistent improvement in October, moving one basis point higher to 3.42 percent, reported Trepp, New York.

The Mortgage Bankers Association released a new interview with DBRS Managing Director Erin Stafford, who discussed commercial mortgage-backed securities, the role of rating agencies and the credit outlook for commercial real estate.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac multifamily lending caps will hold steady at $35 billion in 2019, the Federal Housing Finance Agency announced yesterday.

The multifamily mortgage market is large and diverse, with 2,554 lenders making 44,623 loans totaling a record $285 billion in 2017 involving loans ranging in size from thousands of dollars to hundreds of millions of dollars.

The Mortgage Bankers Association released a new interview with DBRS Managing Director Erin Stafford, who discussed commercial mortgage-backed securities, the role of rating agencies and the credit outlook for commercial real estate.

The multifamily mortgage market is large and diverse, with 2,554 lenders making 44,623 loans totaling a record $285 billion in 2017 involving loans ranging in size from thousands of dollars to hundreds of millions of dollars.

The Mortgage Bankers Association released a new interview with DBRS Managing Director Erin Stafford, who discussed commercial mortgage-backed securities, the role of rating agencies and the credit outlook for commercial real estate.

Developers can see a return on investment by incorporating parks and open spaces in their properties, reported the Urban Land Institute, Washington, D.C.