CANNES-CMBS is coming back in the States. Meanwhile, across the pond, it might be a $10-billion market this year. Of course, there are questions . . .

CANNES-Jurgen Stark, ex-member of the European Central Bank Executive board, tells a MIPIM audience that the worst is behind . . . but there's more pain ahead.

CANNES-Sure, the US still has its problems (Think a frozen Congress and a $13-trillion debt), but compared to other investment targets . . .

CANNES-There is some thinking expressed at MIPIM that the REIT structure is slow to take off in Europe and exists only on a country-by-country basis. Wait a while for a unified REIT.

CANNES-In an exclusive MIPIM interview, David Atkins lays out the European retail picture . . . and explains why Hammerson, unlike other Euro investors, has no interest in growing in the US.

CANNES-London Mayor Boris Johnson is feeling his oats after his town's Olympics win. He told an SRO crowd at MIPIM that he intends to build on that momentum

MIAMI BEACH-Douglas Elliman luxury sales director Chad Carroll says the letters after the name don't really matter. Not as much as the training and skills he gets from those designations.

NEW YORK CITY-According to Trepp, the rate last month—61.8%--is well above the 12-month average. But it's also the fifth time in six months that the rate has exceeded 60%.