HOUSTON-Clarion Partners acquires the 385-unit Pin Oak Estates, an upscale complex located inside Loop 610. The Morgan Group marks back-to-back sales to Clarion with the closing on the two-year-old development. Before that, Clarion bought an office property.

HOUSTON-John P. LaWare takes the pilot's wheel for Stewart Information Services' board of directors. LaWare was a member of the Federal Reserve from 1988 to 1995 and a member of Stewart's advisory board for the last six years.

HOUSTON-In its annual forecast, Grubb & Ellis says Houston is ahead of many high-profile markets and will continue to hold its lead. Ongoing investors' interest, brisk land sales and moderate development keep prices stable and real estate fundamentals strong.

HOUSTON-Memphis and Harrisburg teams for Houston-based L.J. Melody arrange $54.6 million in loans. A $40-million package puts a 30-story Nashville office tower back into local investors' hands. Connecticut General Life was the seller.

HOUSTON-Jim Coleman Co., a car wash equipment manufacturer, buys five acres for an expansion near its existing facility in the northwest submarket, the city's hottest for industrial product. Manufacturing and warehouse space are on the buyer's docket.

HOUSTON-Basic Dollar Wholesale snaps up a 36-year-old industrial property in Houston's southwest submarket. The 1.7-acre holding and 25,000-sf warehouse was marketed at $875,000. A local investor is the seller.

HOUSTON-Weingarten Realty Investors promised to keep its eyes on Memphis. And it does, striking a deal for another industrial purchase. The 407,200-sf Outland Business Center takes the REIT's Memphis industrial holdings to more than 1.1 million sf.

HOUSTON-The newly completed West Belt Shopping Center guarantees more than $2.1 million in permanent financing for its Dallas-based developer-owner. The 10-year loan, with 30-year amortization, carries a 7.32% interest rate.