“Construction of new property continues as firms look for higher returns, putting into question levels of new supply as economic uncertainty remains,” according to Morningstar's forecast for the REIT sector. 

The question for this year is “how much more steam is left in the market, whether the deceleration will continue or if it will level off or turn negative,” says Yardi Matrix.

The agreement caps a year-long strategic review following the death of Courtland Partners founder Michael Humphrey. StepStone's Jeff Giller says the intention is “to honor Michael's legacy” of high standards and fiduciary orientation.

The addition of the RPR Partners team “reflects our commitment to growing strategic areas with unmatched knowledge to meet each of our clients' needs,” says Ernst & Young vice chair Kate Barton.

CEO Maury Tognarelli calls the ownership consolidation “indicative of the confidence we have in ourselves and further aligns our interests with those of our clients.”

The industry veteran has 25 years' experience with TIAA, where he led a team responsible for all equity and debt real estate activity.

A synchronized pickup in economic momentum globally is just one of the factors that could spur faster US growth in 2018, writes Andrew Nelson at Colliers International.

The two companies have formed a partnership for additional investments in student housing markets across Europe.