NEW YORK CITY—To be known simply as iStar Inc. effective August 19, the company is moving forward with a broader investment focus, CEO Jay Sugarman has said in recent presentations.

NEW YORK CITY—The uptick in construction will mean a vacancy increase by year's end, says Marcus & Millichap, even so, apartment vacancies here remain historically low.

SAO PAULO, Brazil—The acquisition follows another portfolio deal earlier this month between BR Properties and a foreign buyer, in this case the Blackstone Group.

LOS ANGELES—While Chinese investors could step up US real estate investment as a hedge against a slowing domestic economy, USC Lusk Center's Rodney Ramcharan cautions that a longer-term prediction is difficult.

NEW YORK CITY—Investment sales powerhouse Will Silverman is heading the Manhattan office for Hodges Ward Elliott, which will now broker investment sales in retail, office and multifamily as well as lodging properties.

SEATTLE—“From an affordability perspective, rents are crazy right now,” says Zillow's chief economist, Svenja Gudell. The firm says it's cheaper to buy than to rent in all but one of the major metros.

CALABASAS, CA—Despite month-to-month volatility, hiring trends since 2010 have been “remarkably sturdy, generating average monthly additions exceeding 200,000 jobs,” according to Marcus & Millichap's Hessam Nadji.

NEW YORK CITY—In the newly created position, Gottschalch will lead the team responsible for raising capital and advising clients of the investment platform, which has $54 billion in gross AUM.