Alex Finkelstein is co-editor of Debt & Equity Journal, from which this article is excerpted.

Chicago—Shopping centers, especially those anchored by quality grocery stores, continue to be at the top of most investors' shopping lists and are also the product of choice for many lenders, according to a random survey of lenders, brokers and owners conducted by Debt & Equity Journal.

New trends are also surfacing in retail development. "A major shift continues from enclosed mall development to lifestyle and community and neighborhood centers," says Nat Zvislo, research director at the locally based Real Estate Capital Institute. "Within most urban areas, infill properties remain the priority for many developers seeking to serve the intercity market."

Richard Klepal Jr., a vice president in the Tampa, FL office of CBRE | Melody says the capital markets continue to demonstrate strong demand for both equity and debt in institutional grade retail investments. "Commercial mortgages today offer low lender spreads. With the 10-year Treasury below 5%, the rates remain very attractive," he adds.