HOUSTON-Richard H. Rudd, the all-star team's leader, says "it's business as usual" despite the jump to a competitor's camp. Granite Partners' execs are mum about the loss and their plans for Houston while Rudd is focused on the future and not the past.

DALLAS-A private investor from Beverly Hills, CA scores an off-market purchase of the fully leased Belvedere Apartments, paying about $900,000 for his first piece of Dallas. The broker says the 46-day transaction most likely is just the beginning to a Texas plan.

CARROLLTON, TX-Spectra Group picks up a purchase contract from locally based Charter Holdings, getting a 1.9-acre tract at the hard corner of a key suburban intersection for a market inroad. Work will get underway soon on a 15,000-sf center.

DALLAS-The first industrial report to hit the streets shows 857,248 sf of gain in Q3. And, it's predicted to firm up even more after election day. Despite the good news, vacancy remains in the double digits and rents take another slight dip.

HOUSTON-Consulting firm Capital Risk ends a year of shopping for expansion space by picking up two full floors, including the balance of one it's been subleasing. The long-term direct deal is sealed three months before the master lease is terminated.

HOUSTON-The seven-year-old Golf Galaxy of Eden Prairie, MN, has made its way to Texas, taking down 15,000 sf for 10 years as the next top name for a 297,555-sf repositioning plan. The retailer also is checking out the Galleria and North Houston.

IRVING, TX-A Dallas investor works a reverse 1031 Exchange to acquire the 61,766-sf vintage park from its developer. The 88%-leased asset pulls close to the $2-million asking price, selling at a 9% pro forma cap rate.

HOUSTON-Choice Condominiums carves out a two-year plan to convert 200 units at 2400 McCue Rd., built in 2002 as a rental property. The developer expects the condo plan to be in hand within 60 days, opening the door to start the conversion.