Houston

HOUSTON-New owner Sterling American has slid in a new property manager and is fine-tuning renovation plans for the complex at 9301 Dairy View Lane in Houston. Repositioning is in order since rent averages just $542 per month.

HOUSTON-TradeSpark moves into 18,748 sf at 1301 Fannin, a class A CBD property that's now 90% occupied. The tenant is an energy brokerage consortium with Cantor Fitzgerald as a lead player. In light of 9/11, it was decided to expand locally.

HOUSTON-Trimark Realty Investments' $48.2-million refinancing is driving a buying spree that has 1,400 units in Dallas-Fort Worth under contract and offers out on seven more Houston properties. Trimark says there's enough liquidity for 2,000 to 3,000 units.

HOUSTON-Four CB Richard Ellis brokers launch a tenant search for the flagship product in Panattoni Development's Beltway 8 Corporate Business Park. Panattoni is teaming with MetroNational on the 117-acre development.

HOUSTON-Middle East Travel holds firm to a 4,122-sf office at Richmond Plaza I in Houston's Westchase submarket. The renewal keeps the 176,000-sf, class B property at 90% occupancy for building owner, BMS Management of New York City.

HOUSTON-Parkway Properties has picked up its 11th office building in Houston. The fully leased, 72,050-sf structure is positioned in the Greenspoint submarket. A Panattoni Development affiliate is the seller.

HOUSTON-Stewart Mortgage brings a 16-year veteran of the lending industry aboard to steer its e-title division. Kerry A. Stith hails from the ranks of PNC Bank's consumer lending departments. He assumes the role as division president and senior VP at Stewart.

HOUSTON-Two down, one more to go in public input sessions in Galveston, where officials are weighing a port merger with the Port of Houston. Galveston is the only required voting entity that has not OK'd the merger plan.