NEWPORT BEACH, CA-Orange County's largest real estate developer broke ground on its latest apartment community project in the Silicon Valley area, one the priciest apartment markets in the state. Completion of construction is expected by fall 2001.

SEATTLE, WA-The consensus among experts speaking at a gathering of the Commercial Brokers Association yesterday is that the local market should remain strong into the next year, though at a slower pace than that of 2000.

MIAMI-The locally-based home builder says earnings for fiscal 2000 will exceed $3.50 per share, 13 cents above analysts' forecast. It projects $4.00 per share for next year.

LOS ANGELES-A German company has purchased a 10,683-sf retail building in Beverly Hills.