COLUMBIA, MD-R.S. Columbia Holding LLC bought the two projects--home to 47 tenants and including 275,000 sf on 22.5 acres--from Nottingham Properties. The purchase price wasn't disclosed.

WASHINGTON, DC-The NAR forecasts dire consequences if banks are allowed to enter the real estate industry. They could cause more foreclosures and result in fewer choices for consumers, while not providing much profit for themselves.

LANHAM, MD-Group 1 Software extended and expanded its lease in EastPoint, a 122,000-sf class A office building owned by Mack-Cali Realty Corporation. The software company wants an additional 14,000-sf for an expansion.

FALLS CHURCH, VA-The broadband provider that boasted several giant real estate firms as corporate partners--and had the backing of Microsoft and Sun Microsystems--has filed for Chapter 11 protection.

WASHINGTON, DC-Crescent Real Estate Equities officials say they expect the deal with a Washington-based firm to close by the beginning of July. The sale price will be in excess of $160 million, they say.

WASHINGTON, DC-The National Association of Realtors' mid-year legislative meetings and expo is slated for this week, with a wide array of events on tap. Industry leaders will discuss hot topics impacting the real estate industry.

FALLS CHURCH, VA-REITs that had teamed up with beleaguered BroadBand Office found themselves scrambling to make sure the fraction of their tenants using the company's services aren't suddenly cut off.

WASHINGTON, DC-Among the transactions, the retail-only real estate services group helped place retailers in a North Carolina mall, a Buffalo, NY warehouse and brokered sale of land for Washington strip mall.