SANTA MONICA, CA—Retail properties saw the biggest gain in volume, with $81.4 billion in total deals in 2014. One of those was a portfolio sale of more than 6.7 million square feet.

CALABASAS, CA—Surveying January's employment gains, Marcus & Millichap's chief strategy officer predicts strong positive absorption ahead in office and retail, among other things.

NEW YORK CITY—Although FINRA Rule 2014-006 hasn't taken effect yet, United Realty Trust's Jacob Frydman welcomes the greater transparency it will mean for investors in companies like his.

SEATTLE—Amid a period of transition in the industry, “demand for healthcare real estate is rising,” especially for properties best suited to provide convenience and lower cost, says Colliers' Mary Beth Kuzmanovich.

DALLAS—The moderation in rent growth that locally based Axiometrics expected after a stellar 2014 isn't materializing, says the firm's Stephanie McCleskey

GREENWICH, CT—The company has gone from zero to 2,301 units in acquisitions tied to public universities with an average enrollment of more than 30,000.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA—Prospective bidders for the office portfolio, located mainly in Sydney's CBD and valued at about US$6.6 billion, reportedly include LaSalle and the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority.

NEW YORK CITY—In construction boom periods, “a subcontracting marketplace that is better able to manage its administrative burdens is going to be better for everyone,” Knowify's Dan deRoulet Jr. tells Globest.com.