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Real estate investment trusts pulled back in April, with a –4.95 percent total return for the month. Interest rates edged up during the month and signs of economic weakness also affected REITs and the broader markets with first-quarter GDP growth slowing to just 0.2 percent. Plus, interest rate survey results from Trepp.

Mixed economic news is weighing on retail markets, pushing real estate investment trust (REIT) performance down. Within the retail REIT sector, regional malls, prized for stability as a core property type, have posted the best year to date returns (–1.92 percent), while shopping centers posted a return of –2.94 percent. Plus, interest rate survey results from Trepp.

Last year, $502 billion in U.S. commercial mortgages was originated. That was down slightly from the $504 billion originated the year prior and well shy of the $537 billion that the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) had predicted. The MBA is forecasting $515 billion of lending activity for 2017, which would top the origination record of $508 billion set in 2007. Plus, interest rate survey data from Trepp.

A group of experts has been convened by the Urban Land Institute to make recommendations to the city of Norfolk, Virginia, on improving the resilience of the Fort Norfolk neighborhood, which is strategically important in the city’s plans for economic vitality as well as climate change preparedness.

Michael A. Spotts is a visiting research fellow with the ULI Terwilliger Center for Housing. He has over a decade of experience conducting applied policy research activities focused on housing affordability and community development.

Employing an approach that includes new development and adaptive use, and that leverages its solid economic base and strong job growth, Nashville, Tennessee, is seeing successful redevelopment of both its urban core and waterfront. Read how projects ranging from for-rent workforce housing to mixed-use development to a convention center are poised to drive continued economic development in Music City.

Western Michigan—which includes Grand Rapids, Muskegon, Holland, and Kalamazoo—has a long history in agribusiness. But the region also has rapidly growing life sciences clusters specializing in everything from medical equipment and surgical devices, to a robust manufacturing sector, focused on metals, plastics, biopharmaceuticals, and automotive products, as well as office furniture.

The Commercial Mortgage Alert Trepp weekly survey of 15 active portfolio lenders came in a “few” basis points (0.09%); financing appears available at attractive rates.

The Commercial Mortgage Alert Trepp weekly survey of 15 active portfolio lenders narrowed slightly week-over-week with financing available at attractive rates (5.25%+/-).

Hafsa Burt, AIA, LEED Fellow, LFA, ENV SP, is a principal at hb+a Architects, specializing in ecoconscious design and architecture and is a policy advocate for climate action. With 26 years of experience, she has contributed to notable projects all over California. Burt also started the Box Lab initiative, which develops zero energy/low carbon, scalable prototypes. Burt is a member of ULI Healthy Building Cohort, which focuses on empowering real estate and land use professionals with expert knowledge and peer networks to ensure the built environment promotes vibrant, equitable, and health-conscious communities and buildings.