WASHINGTON, DC-The debate over whether banks should be allowed to enter the business of real estate went before a Congressional subcommittee yesterday, May 2, as officials grapple over the exact nature of real estate transactions.

LANDOVER, MD-The Richmond-based company put together the financing for Prince George's County largest private-sector real estate investment, a 12-story building for Computer Sciences Corporation, to be located near IRS headquarters.

WASHINGTON, DC-A quarterly survey shows the region is among the nation's leaders, with average occupancy reaching 98.3% during the first quarter, and rent growth of 12.8% during the past year.

NORFOLK, VA-The New York-based commercial real estate firm is helping Zim-American Israeli Shipping Co. move its offices from the World Trade Center to the Lake Wright Office Complex here.

HERNDON, VA-The 29-home residential development, valued at $15 million, will be transformed into Great Oaks, a mixed-use community featuring 82 single family homes, 115 townhouses and 248 luxury apartments.

WASHINGTON, DC-The commercial real estate market showed some sluggishness during the fourth quarter of 2001, but the NAR's chief economist predicts it will improve during the last six months of this year.

WASHINGTON, DC-The NMHC's quarterly survey shows that rents aren't increasing as fast as they were, and that vacancy rates are creeping up slightly. The survey also highlighted difficulties of developing moderate-income apartments.

COLUMBIA, MD-The REIT says its first-quarter FFO are up 10.7%, that it completed a 78,640-sf development at Columbia Gateway Business Park and raised $12 million in equity.