Manufacturing corporations' seasonally adjusted after-tax profits averaged 7.7 cents per dollar of sales for the first quarter of 2010, not statistically different from the fourth quarter of 2009.

ELK GROVE VILLAGE, IL-Embanet, a provider of online learning services, has signed to sublease most of a floor at 50 Northwest Point.

Sales of new one-family houses in July 2010 were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 276,000. This is 12.4% below the revised June 2010 estimate of 315,000.

Total construction activity for July 2010 ($805.2 billion) was 1.0 percent below the revised June 2010 ($813.1 billion). Please see our web site for further details: http://www.census.gov/constructionspending

CHICAGO-Regency Centers Corp., a Jacksonville-based operator, owner and developer of community and grocery-anchored shopping centers, has acquired the Glen Oak Plaza in Glenview, IL, for $18 million.

CHICAGO-The developers of the Walton tower on the Park, Mesirow Financial and Enterprise Cos. have secured a crucial extension on a $129.5 million construction loan.

CHICAGO-Dublin-based Anglo Irish Bank has listed over $100 million in troubled loans on the 225 W. Washington St. West Loop tower for sale.

CHICAGO-A US Bankruptcy Court judge has ruled in favor of the lenders of the 556-room InterContinental Chicago O'Hare Hotel causing a setback for Harp Group, the hotels' developer and owner.

CHICAGO- The owners of the 802,265-square-foot The Plaza mall located in Evergreen Park have missed payments on their loan of $20.2 million.

LOMBARD, IL-A partnership of Intercontinental Real Estate Corp. and Olympic Investors sold the 504-unit Clover Creek, which is 95% leased.

SCHAUMBURG, IL-The venture purchased the 428-unit Lakes at Schaumburg from Cornerstone Real Estate Advisors.

CHICAGO-Chicago employers will add 40,000 jobs in 2010, but deals for multifamily purchases are still being held back by tight lending, according to Marcus & Millichap.

CHICAGO-NRC Realty and Capital Advisors LLC was retained to find bidders on foreclosed convenience stores and development sites in California, Delaware and Pennsylvania. Plus more Midwest news.

CHICAGO-Bankrate.com reported that the closing costs throughout the country had increased to 36.2% in 2009 when compared to that of last year.

CHICAGO-Prices of the well-developed island assets located near to highly inhabited areas have declined. However, sales of luxurious and isolated private islands in astonishing localities have been stable during the economic downturn.

WAUCONDA, IL-Mid-America Real Estate Corp., representing seller Fritz Duda Co., says $10 million in other recent property sales show that more buyers are in the market.

CHICAGO-First Commercial Bank has filed foreclosure lawsuits demanding more than $3.5 million against a 24-unit project on the 800 block of North California Avenue, constructed by JPV Development Group Inc.

Privately-owned housing starts in July 2010 were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 546,000. This is 1.7 percent above the revised June 2010 estimate of 537,000.

CHICAGO-The owner of the Edens Corporate Center situated at 630-650 Dundee Road has defaulted on the center's $23 million loan from June onwards.

U.S. retail and food service sales for July reached $362.7 billion, a increase of 0.4 percent (±0.5%)* from the previous month.

Homeownership Rate (HR)
The homeownership rate in the second quarter 2010 (66.9 percent) was lower than the second quarter 2009 rate (67.4 percent). In the South and West, the homeownership rates were lower than a year ago, while the Northeast and Midwest showed no significant change from corresponding second quarter 2009 rates.

Rental Vacancy Rate (RVR)
The rental vacancy rate in second quarter 2010 (10.6 percent) remained approximately the same as the second quarter 2009 rate (also 10.6 percent).

Homeowner Vacancy Rate (HVR)
The homeowner vacancy rate in second quarter 2010 (2.5 percent) remained approximately the same as the second quarter 2009 rate (also 2.5 percent).