WASHINGTON, DC-With regard to the real estate finance industry, 2005 is looking really good, as is 2006 and 2007. The rosy forecast, based on expected strong economic growth over the next few years, comes courtesy of the Mortgage Bankers Association.

FULLERTON, MD-Kimco Realty beats out the competition in the race to acquire Putty Hill Plaza, a 90,000-sf grocery-anchored shopping center in Baltimore County. Kimco took the Suburban Baltimore property off the hands of Belair Road Associates in a $14.8 million transaction.

SILVER SPRING, MD-Plans move forward for the third phase of development of the US Food & Drug Administration's White Oak campus consolidation project with the selection of Tompkins Builders Inc. to construct a 135,000-sf physics laboratory. The building will cost $41.3 million to realize.

NORFOLK, VA-Ownership of Interstate Corporate Center, a 438,000-sf office compound, changes hands. The disposition of the 17-structure property marks the Suburban Norfolk market's largest deal for 2004.

WASHINGTON, DC-The US Department of Housing and Urban Development drops a bit of a bombshell on the low-income housing sector. In a recent memo to agencies managing the Housing Choice Voucher Program, HUD reveals the program will suffer a 4% cut in housing assistance funds for FY 2005.

WASHINGTON, DC-Roanoke, VA-headquartered architectural and engineering firm HSMM commits to 25,900 sf at Three Lafayette Centre, one of three structures that comprise the 713,000-sf Lafayette Centre office compound. Securing the new space will allow HSMM to relocate from current digs nearby.

WASHINGTON, DC-A recent $6.1-million transaction leaves the office building at 4550 Lanham Blvd. under new ownership. Having taken it off the hands of WSL Family LP, the nearly 47,000-sf asset now belongs to a Baltimore-based equity investor operating under the name 4550 Forbes Blvd. LLC.

WASHINGTON, DC-Encore Legal Solutions relocates and consolidates into new space at 1225 Eye St. NW. The move doubles its current square footage, which is shared between two buildings.