NEW YORK CITY-The general economy will start to show signs of picking up in Q2 or Q3, our respondents tell us, with a half-year lag time for real estate. Sept. 11, as tragic as it was, seems to have a fading impact on the industry's activity.

NEW YORK CITY-The under-served affordable-housing market just got a serious boost from two major players. The initiative is geared to revitalizing down-trodden neighborhoods as well as increase ownership opportunities for low-income workers.

The old art of examining real estate cycles is gone; we have disengaged from the cycles theory.

NEW YORK CITY-Ending months of takeover talks, Rodamco will split its US mall business three ways--among Westfield Holdings of Australia, and US-based Rouse and Simon Property Group.

There was a drop-off in major transactions of about 60% from 2000 to 2001, and 2000 was not a high-water mark.

Everything we've heard indicates that the European economy is experiencing a slowdown and not a contraction.

NEW YORK CITY-Congress packed its bags for the winter recess without a vote that would give the insurance industry the financial means to cover acts of terrorism. That presents a major problem for an industry where 70% of casualty coverage is up for renewal on Jan. 1.

NEW YORK CITY-Manhattan's Financial District shows its Post-9/11 allure as Union Bank inks a Downtown deal for 23,458 sf. The bank had been lodged in Tower 2 of the World Trade Center. The bank signed a seven-year lease for the entire 23rd floor at 40 Wall, which it plans to occupy by late February.