But the association is challenging the plaintiffs, saying the cases should be moved to Illinois, where most of the outstanding litigation originates.

Commercial real estate practitioners who can think outside the box are finding success by paying attention to demographic shifts and lifestyle changes, understanding consumer preferences and creatively helping tenants realize their business goals.

When you put in the extra hours to become an expert in a real estate specialty through designations and certifications, you want to be able to tour your accolades without turning off customers.

Learning to play poker can teach women managers strategic thinking skills and is the focus of the Power Poker class at Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern. Women who have taken the course said they learned to negotiate, read a bluff, and maintain a poker face.

Commitment to a business plan and consistent lead generation are among the practices that will help real estate pros navigate the ups and downs of 2024.

Commercial loan origination is projected to increase 29% over last year to reach $576 billion in 2024, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. At the same time, borrowing demand is expected to increase as debt comes due this year, according to CenterSquare Investment Management, which also notes that mREITs and specialty lenders are accounting for a growing share of the market.

European designer Jonas Edvard is working on a sound-absorbing screen that combines hemp fibers with mushroom mycelium and willow with the intention of making such natural materials more of an interior element. "I want people to sense the qualities of the sound-absorbing materials and to engage in a new understanding of how natural materials can be incorporated into our homes and living areas," says Edvard.

The homeownership rate among Black Americans experienced a significant increase during the early stages of the coronavirus pandemic, but recent challenges like high home prices and rising borrowing costs may lead to a reversal of these gains.

The economy is healthier than what economists expected a year ago, but some Federal Reserve officials emphasize a need for caution as they determine how to proceed with monetary policy. "Inflation of 2% is our goal," Fed Governor Christopher Waller says. "But that goal cannot be achieved for just a moment in time. It must be sustained."

Struggles in the commercial real estate sector are raising concerns for the banking industry, but some small and midsize institutions with relatively high exposure to CRE say the situation is manageable for them. Cullen/Frost, the holding company for Frost Bank, "saw an increase in problem loans" in the fourth quarter of 2023, "but it really wasn't from commercial real estate at all," CEO Phil Green said.