SHERMAN, TX-Shafer Property Co. of Dallas will use the financing to complete the second retail phase at the crossroads of US Highways 75 and 82 in Sherman. Another 20 acres are under contract for a third phase.

DALLAS-End-of-the-year trading closes the books on what surely is Dallas' biggest sale for 2002. Market speculation pegs the price in the $300-million range. Seller Hines and buyer UBS Realty aren't talking price, but brokers are saying UBS wasn't the highest offer.

FORT WORTH-Griener PURtec will get its keys in January to an expanded location within Riverbend Industrial Park. In other deals, two park newcomers have their keys to 24,000 sf and an existing tenant holds tight to 8,100 sf.

ARLINGTON, TX-The Houston private investor buys a 5,112-sf building, with a 15-year tenant, along one of Arlington's busiest retail streets. The seller, a Dallas developer, goes right down Collins to buy a similar property at below market rate.

AUSTIN-In the 2003 session, the legislature will consider elimination of an honor system for declaring personal property plus add a penalty for non-compliance. The measure appears poised to pass easier than a bill for mandatory sales disclosure, says a tax expert.

UVALDE, TX-The San Antonio investor replaces an eight-unit multifamily property in Austin with a 191-unit mini-storage complex in Uvalde, 70 miles west of San Antonio. The sale follows a trend by small investors to buy in third and fourth tier towns.

DALLAS-Robyn G. Jackson becomes the eighth broker in Texas to join the Irvine, CA-based firm in a coast-to-coast expansion that's boosted the coverage area to 50 markets in the last 18 months. Jackson also specializes in seniors housing.

AUSTIN-One-third of Austin's sublease market has an average life of two years. Of the 82 leases, 43 or 748,000 sf have less than a year to go. As a result, "expenses only" deal making returns for the first time since the late 1980s.