HOUSTON-Ross and Linens 'N Things join the mix at the 350,000-sf, CalPERs-owned center in Houston. Ross takes 28,556 sf and the home goods retailer, 24,772 sf. The new deals push the 52-year-old asset, renovated two years ago, to 98% occupancy.

PHOENIX-The 22-unit Ward Manor complex fetches $850,000 to mark the final leg of a four-property shuffle. The 15-unit Scottsdale Shadows brings $577,150, bought via a California sale. The newly acquired assets come with upside potential.

FOUNTAIN HILLS, AZ-The limited partner owners of the 150-unit Ridge View in Fountain Hills take advantage of market conditions. Washington Mutual put up the capital, part of which reportedly will to go to repairs.

HOUSTON-The Houston-based owner of ambulatory surgery centers spends $6 million on a land bank of development sites. A flurry of deals creates a real estate subsidiary and starts the take-over of a Colorado firm to be its developer.

PHOENIX-The office market's steep vacancy climb of recent quarters appears to be over. The overall rate rose just 0.85%, according to preliminary information from Insignia/ESG's Phoenix office. Construction too is in check.

PHOENIX-The Phoenix firm of Treo, Strick, Lucia & Aquirre shopped around and decided that the building owner's offer was too good to pass up. The law firm's broker says he scouted the scene for nine months.

HOUSTON-Duke Energy signs for an entire building in the Bayport Industrial Complex in the far southeast submarket, where space is at a premium. Preliminary Q2 stats peg warehouse product at 1.2% and manufacturing at 3.1%.

HOUSTON-Novus Oil & Gas secures 3,734 for its office in Millennium Tower while Moex Texas reserves 2,167 sf in the premier office building in the Westchase submarket. Considering vacancy is 26.4%, it's good news for the building owner.