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The article discusses the CVS Caremark Charity Classic golf event. Firms that underwrite the event gain access to CVS executives who influence what products the company purchases, and from which vendors. The event seems to be a way of circumventing policies maintained by CVS and other companies that restrict gifts from suppliers.

The article focuses on an increase in immigrant groups in the U.S., including Latinos and Brazilians in California, that have been talked into subprime mortgages to buy homes that they couldn't afford, and who are now defaulting and seeing foreclosures on their homes. The increase has been linked to unethical mortgage brokers from the immigrants' countries who are trusted by the immigrants, and also to crime rings that target the immigrant groups. Case studies of effected immigrants are offered.

Reports on the conflict between a special task force and the growing nuisance it was created to combat in the Hollywood tourist district: famous costumes characters who try to be photographed with tourists and sometimes badger them relentlessly for tips. Reference to LAPD officers who pose as clueless foreign tourists; Range in charges from illegal vending to aggressive begging; Estimation by police officers that anywhere from 70 to 80 characters work a block stretch on Hollywood Boulevard that includes Mann's Chinese Theater and the Kodak Theater.

Reports that the U.S. Department of the Navy will auction off El Toro, a decommissioned U.S. Marine Corps Air Station in California to the highest bidder, deviating from the normal practice of transferring ownership to local jurisdictions for redevelopment. Number of facilities nation-wide from which the Department of Veterans Affairs is attempting to figure out the facilities that would generate the most profit if they were leased to private developers; Efforts of the U.S. General Services Administration, which manages a big portion of the government's real estate, to enter into long-term leases with private developers; Value of the government's real-estate portfolio, from which the government feels it can reduce the maintenance and security costs associated with these holdings and squeeze out revenue by selling off properties or leasing them to the private sector.

The article reports that the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Federal Reserve Board and other U.S. agencies have proposed regulations on companies which manage home appraisals related to house buying.

The article discusses residential real estate sales in the U.S. and the success of home sellers who reference parking in their property listings as of January 2014, focusing on the reported importance of parking to prospective buyers and downtown residents in cities such as Seattle, Washington.

This article presents three private properties sold in the U.S., including the home of weight-loss guru Jenny Craig in San Diego, California.

This article offers information on an English Cotswold-style home being sold by investment adviser Bruce D. Bent in Cape Elizabeth, Maine.

This section offers news briefs on private property in the U.S. as of December 2, 2011, including the sale of the Napa Valley estate of the late winemaker and philanthropist Robert Mondavi and his widow Margrit, the sale of the home of Hugh Bancroft III and his wife Joy in San Diego, California for 14 million U.S. dollars, and the move by comedian Dennis Miller to reduce the price of his Montecito, California estate.

This article reports on the effort of the owners of the Willis Tower in Chicago, Illinois, to sell the property.

This section offers news briefs on the real estate sector in the U.S. as of October 2011, including the plan of actor Dennis Quaid to sell his ranch property in Emigrant, Montana, the sale of a ranch owned by the family of the Malcolm Forbes, the late editor in-chief of the magazine "Forbes," and the sale of a penthouse apartment owned by siblings Kirby and Kari Schlegel.

The article reports on the purchase by Russian billionaire investor Yuri Milner of a French chateau-style mansion in Los Altos Hills, California.

This article sections offers news briefs on the U.S. real estate market as of October 15, 2010 including the acquisition by derivatives pioneer Howard Sosin of a home in Palm Beach, Florida, the sale of National Financial Inc. founder William P. Foley II's oceanfront estate in Santa Barbara, California, and the sale of AC/DC bassist Cliff Williams' Savannah, Georgia townhouse and home in Fort Myers, Florida.

This section offers news briefs on the real estate industry in the U.S. as of June 18, 2010, including the sale of the house of singers Faith Hill and Tim McGraw in Beverly Hills, California, the decision of comedian Dennis Miller to sell his house in Montecito, California, and the sale of the house of thriller writer James Patterson in Palm Beach, Florida.

This section offers news briefs related to the U.S. commercial real estate market including the acquisition by Mountain State University of the Martinsburg Mall in West Virginia and the move of a mortgage secured by a 20-property portfolio into a special service even though it is still generating enough cash to pay a debt service.

This section offers news briefs related to the U.S. real estate market including the relisting of actress Diane Keaton's home in Beverly Hills, California for 10.95 million U.S. dollars, the sale of Twitter co-founder Evan Williams' penthouse loft in San Francisco, California for 1.25 million U.S. dollars, and the listing of Philanthropist Carroll Petrie's Palm Beach estate for 10.6 million U.S. dollars.

This section offers news briefs on the U.S. real estate industry as of December 9, 2009. Rick's Cabaret International agreed to purchase a 1.6-acre parcel near Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. Some members of the family of Wayne Hughes, the chairman and founder of the real-estate investment trust (REIT) Public Storage, are selling their shares at the REIT including his daughter Tamara Hughes Gustavson who has sold stocks worth 119 million dollars. The value of West Oaks Mall in Houston, Texas has declined to 15 million dollars.

The author focuses on the negative impact of the extension of tax credits for first time home buyers in the U.S. President Barack Obama has signed into law a bill that extends the 8,000-dollar refundable tax credit which allows more people to buy a home. He notes that the extension of the tax credits can lead the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) into bankruptcy. He urges Obama to raise the requirements for qualifying for an insured mortgage from the FHA.

This article reveals the plan of HSBC Holdings PLC to sell its New York City headquarters building to Israeli investment holding company IDB Group. The acquisition deal is valued at 330 million U.S. dollars. According to analysts, more sale-and-leaseback deals are expected in the property market as sellers look at ways of freeing up capital. Mat Oakley of Savills says investors are interested in deals that provide significant security. Meanwhile, Tesco PLC is also involved in sale-and-leaseback deals in a bid to release value from its British portfolio.

The article reveals that Israeli real-estate firm Africa Israel Investments Ltd. has cut the price of a Miami, Florida parcel of land by more than half in a bid to complete its sale. A deepening recession and a drop in property values served as barriers to the completion of the sale to a partnership led by Falcone Group. To pay off debt, the company has been selling some real-estate assets. There has been a decline in the total value of sales of vacant land entitled for commercial development in the U.S. from January-July 2009.

This article announces that Vornado Realty Trust has been paid 208 million U.S. dollars by a unit of Germany's DekaBank Group for the 250,000 square-foot office property in Washington. The property is priced at 830 U.S. dollars per square foot. Particular focus is given to some of the biggest office-building sales in New York City.

The article reports on the plan of U.S. real-estate firm Simon Property Group Inc. to sell about $800 million in new stock in May 2009. The need of the commercial real-estate sector for fresh capital is being stressed by the move. Over $500 million was raised by Simon from its first stock sale in March. The proceeds of future sales could be used by the company to purchase properties owned by less fortunate landlords.

The article focuses on the involvement of Danny Pang, a financier from California, in an alleged fraud surrounding the purchase of an undeveloped land in Costa Rica. The actual buyer of the land was the Nevada-based Dominical Holdings LLC whose sole official Robert Van Duren is from Pang's company Private Equity Management Group Inc. (PEMGroup). At issue is whether investor money was used to perform a personal real-estate deal. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) froze the assets of Pang and PEMGroup.

The article presents update on house selling of notable people in the U.S. as of March 2009. Candy Spelling, widow of the late television producer Aaron Spelling, decided to sell her 57,000-square-foot mansion in Los Angeles, California for $150 million. Radio host Don Imus put up his waterfront country compound in Westport, Connecticut on sale for $30 million.

The article explains different issues in information technology (IT) outsourcing. The role of contracts in IT outsourcing is to organize the relationship between client and vendor. The history of IT outsourcing at a French company between 1994 and 2007 is also discussed. The problems faced by the company included the obsolete IT equipment and the vendors demanding payment for even the most minor service.

The article looks at some creative incentives that home sellers are using to attract buyers in the U.S. Investment portfolio manager Joseph Moss prefers to give the new homeowner a brand new Porsche Boxster automobile to attract potential buyers. Installation of a pool, a patio and a professional grill is being offered by homeowner Dennis Mavashev should a new buyer want the amenities. Real-estate development firm ORE International LLC is offering buyers 10 personal-training sessions at any of its developments with gymnasiums.

The article reports on the new mortgages rules of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. It says that these regulations update the requirements of the 1974 law Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (Respa) which sets federal rules for home-purchase transactions. According to the article, the rules aim to help consumers compare terms on loans offered by different lenders and restrict lenders' ability to give final terms that are far different from initial estimates.

The article focuses on the findings of a report by the National Association of Realtors. From May 2007 to May 2008, the largest group of foreign buyers of U.S. homes were Canadians. Florida accounts for a third of all of the Canadians' purchases. The Canadian Real Estate Association revealed that home sales have been strengthened by growth in after-tax income, strong employment and short-term interest rate cuts in Canada. Canadians' purchasing power improved due to a continued strong housing market and rising home equity values.

The article focuses on a traditional-style house in North Haven, New York which is for sale at a $9.25 million asking price. Owned by former Bear Stearns executive Robert Harris, the 4,800 square-foot house in the Hamptons area has five bedrooms and 3-1/2 bathrooms on 1.6 acres. The house can be purchased by itself or with an adjacent property. The price for both properties will be $17.25 million. The property has 200 feet of water frontage on Genet Creek, a fixed deepwater dock, a boathouse, gunite pool, hot tub, and terraced gardens.

This section offers news briefs on the U.S. real estate market. A ski retreat in Vail, Colorado, formerly owned by President Gerald Ford, is now available on the market at $14.9 million. Retired National Football League (NFL) star Michael Strahan has acquired a loft in the Tribeca neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City. The Washington, D.C. Tudor house of real-estate developer and home buyer-and-seller R. Donahue Peebles has been listed on the market for $8.3 million.

The article discusses the advantages of online auction in buying and selling real property in the U.S. It notes that auctions ensure a timely sale, reduce the costs on an unsold property and assign an accurate market value. In a live auction for higher-quality property, clerks stand by at computers at the auction site to record and announced remote bids and virtual tours of the properties are available. Also mentioned is the preference of some auctioneers to start collecting bids on a property online prior to the actual auction.

The article reports on the decision of Tribune Co. chief executive officer (CEO) Sam Zell to consider a potential sale of the company's office complexes in Los Angeles, California and Chicago, Illinois as it struggles under a heavy debt load. The firm consults with real-estate companies to find ways to generate more value from the properties. Also mentioned are other measures taken by the CEO to save money. According to analysts, the asset sales should help Tribune to settle about $1 billion in debt and interest obligations in 2008.

The article reports on a deal secured by Trump Entertainment Resorts Inc. to sell its three properties in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The company announced on May 29, 2008 its plan to sell its lowest-performing casino Trump Marina Hotel Casino to Coastal Marina LLC. Chief executive officer (CEO) Mark Juliano stated that the cash to be collected from the sale will enable Trump to upgrade its two remaining casinos. He added that his company considers opportunities to establish casinos overseas and in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The article focuses on a contract to acquire the largest undeveloped parcel of land in Manhattan, New York City was signed by a joint venture between developer Related Cos. and investment bank Goldman Sachs Group Inc. in May 2008. According to state officials, the consortium agreed to pay $1 billion to the property owner Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) for a 99-year lease. The venture also plans to construct 13 buildings on the land. Schemes considered fro the site have included a new stadium for the New York Jets football team.

The article reports on the plan of Switzerland to lift legal limits on foreign property ownership which could boost profit from sales of properties near its swank ski resorts. The plan has attracted investors from Egypt and Russia who have pledged to spend money on large-scale tourist projects. Foreign retailers are also expected to arrive in the country once legislators approve the new rules. In 2007, the government proposed to abolish the Lex Koller that restricts foreigners from buying properties.

The article reports on the decline in confidence in the economy among small-business owners in the U.S. in 2008. The index of small-business optimism of the National Federation of Independent Business dropped 3.3 points in March. The hiring rate at companies showed a downward trend for nearly two years based on a report form the Department of Labor. The index of pending home sales released by the National Association of Realtors indicated a decline of 1.9% in February.

The article reports on the decision of CrossHarbor Capital Partners to terminate an agreement to buy the Yellowstone Club for about $450 million which highlights increasing pressures on the high-end real-estate market. According to sources, the acquirer failed to meet the demands of sellers Tim and Edra Blixseth to prove that the firm had adequate financing for the deal. Tim plans to resume his role as an active managing owner. There was a decline in sales of properties at the club.

The article reports on the plan of Harvard Management Co. to purchase a larger portion of Northern California forest with its $35 billion endowment if a court approves an auction of the land as part of the bankruptcy case of Pacific Lumber Co. A subsidiary of Pacific Lumber indicated in court papers filed in March 2008 that Harvard Management is a potential bidder for the land. Another bidder for the real property is a consortium that comprises the Nature Conservancy, Bank of America Corp. and Save the Redwoods League.

This section offers news briefs related to real property in the U.S. as of February 8, 2008. Hip-hop star Kanye West will sell his property in Beverly Hills, California for about $8 million. The former home of self-made mining mogul Joseph Hirshhorn in Greenwich, Connecticut has been sold for $30 million. The home of jet-charter company owner Todd Rome in Southampton, New York is offered for $11.5 million in the market.

The article offers information on a villa in Ibiza Island, Spain being offered for sale. The villa measures 5,600 square feet and has six bedrooms and six bathrooms. Its amenities include outdoor kitchen and barbecue, gated entrance and tropical landscaping. The asking price for the property is €3.85 million or $5.6 million.

This section offers news briefs on real property in the U.S. as of January 4, 2008. Actor Burt Reynolds reduced the price on his waterfront Florida compound for the second time. Dallas Cowboys football player Terrell Owens is expanding his real-estate holdings in Dallas, Texas. Restaurant entrepreneur Philip Romano and his wife put their home on the market for $17.5 million.

The article covers various issues related to private properties in the U.S. Celebrity Paris Hilton has bought a mansion in Mulholland Estates in Beverly Hills which is said to be more than twice the size of her former home in Hollywood Hills, California. Former Major League Baseball (MLB) player Matt Williams is selling his home in Phoenix, Arizona for $12.7 million. The sale of a 1.6 acres property in Miami, Florida for $18 million is said to be the area's highest-priced residential sale in 2007.

The article provides information on three real properties with home gyms that are for sale in the U.S. In Woodland, California, a house made from stucco and brick is priced at $899,000. Another property in Marietta, Georgia which has 7 bedrooms, 7 baths and 3 half baths is priced at $2.72 million. Lastly, a property owned by former Seattle Supersonics, Ray Allen, in Carnation, Washington is priced at $5.9 million.

The article reports on the purchase of Grauman's Chinese Theater in Los Angeles, California by CIM Group Inc. It says that the property was bought in an undisclosed sum from the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Center of New York and Barlow Respiratory Hospital of Los Angeles. According to the author, this 80-year-old theater is one of the state's biggest tourist attractions.

The article reports on possible changes being negotiated by H&R Block Inc. in its agreement to sell its subprime-mortgage unit. It states that a wider net loss has been posted by the company for the first-quarter of 2007. It says that the company will stop selling new loans through the unit, have several requirements waived and try to get the buyer to close before the current deadline if the negotiations are successful.

The article reports on the sale of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange trading floors by CME Trust, in behalf of operator CME Group Inc., to Tishman Speyer Properties LP in Illinois. Tishman is planning to convert the property to office space. The lease of the trading space by CME has been extended through 2022. The trading floors of CME, which is considered as the largest in the world, will relocate to the Board of Trade site in spring 2008.

The article reports that Goldman Sachs Group Inc. has finalized a $318 million deal to buy the flagship property of Tiffany & Co. in Tokyo, Japan. The firm will lease the property back to the jewelry retailer. The deal underscores the attractiveness of marquee Japanese real estate which has drawn domestic and foreign investments. Property prices outside of Japan's major cities are still falling at a slower rate than previously.

The article reports on a 29% decrease in profit posted by Wharf Holdings Inc. in the first-half of 2007. It states that the growth in rental income and property sales was offset by lower property-revaluation gains. It says that the revenue of the company from commercial properties in China increased 15% on higher rentals of offices and retail spaces.

Reports on the announcement by International Paper Co. of its plans to sell its U.S. timberland as part of a massive restructuring to help the company refocus on uncoated paper and packaging.

Provides information on real properties on prime land being sold in the U.S. as of July 2005.