In the News—Week of February 2, 2026

Thomas Title & Escrow successfully closed an $85 million commercial retail transaction involving the Gilbert Gateway Towne Center, located at the northwest corner of Power Road and Ray Road in Gilbert, Arizona. The transaction included the sale of the property from Gilbert Gateway Towne Center Holdings LLC to GGTCN LLC and required coordination among national parties, including Michael Hackett and Ryan Schubert from CBRE, Citi Real Estate Funding, and legal counsel on both sides. Senior Commercial Escrow Officer Joel Montemayor, supported by Title Officer Teri Guevara and the Thomas Title commercial team, National Business Development Officer Emma Chester and Director of Commercial Sales Kylie Cook played key roles in supporting the transaction, working closely with the client and internal teams to maintain alignment, drive communication, and deliver a seamless experience from start to finish. This closing underscores Thomas Title’s ability to successfully execute sophisticated commercial transactions and delivering exceptional service on complex, large-scale closings.

Shift in American migration patterns will force CRE investors to rethink strategy

Migration patterns are shifting, and commercial real estate investors will need to shift too, CNBC reports. Americans are shunning destinations with higher wages for affordability, and also factors such as family proximity, increasingly choosing smaller markets over urban centers. While Southern states remain popular destinations, the influx has become more balanced compared to the pandemic era, and Oregon emerged as the top moving destination in 2025. Investors now face a more complex landscape, needing to focus on affordable housing, modest office spaces and middle-income retail rather than betting on sustained population growth in any single region. The rapid development in Sun Belt states like Florida and Arizona has led to oversupply and declining rents, as some residents who initially relocated are now leaving.

NYC commercial real estate owners seek relief from rising insurance premiums

Commercial real estate owners in New York are facing a crisis as insurance costs have skyrocketed in recent years, Commercial Observer reports. Premiums for rent-regulated buildings jumped 150% between 2019 and 2025. Multifamily landlords report insurance expenses now consuming nearly a quarter of rental income, while rents remain largely stagnant due to regulatory caps, threatening the viability of affordable housing. Bar and nightclub owners face similar challenges, with annual premiums rising from 1% to 4-5% of sales, leading some establishments to close. The increases stem from climate-related disasters, rising personal injury settlements, fraudulent claims and insurers exiting certain markets, prompting calls for state and city intervention to address the affordability crisis.

Former Trump Hotel in Washington, D.C. is being shopped by cash-strapped owners

The former Trump International Hotel in Washington, D.C., which reopened as a Waldorf-Astoria after being sold in 2022, is being quietly marketed by its current debt holders for approximately $300 million, Semafor reports. During Trump’s first presidency, the hotel served as a popular venue for politicians and foreign officials seeking access to the administration, though it consistently lost money, totaling $74 million in losses between 2016 and 2020. After Trump left office, the property saw declining patronage, leading to its sale and subsequent financial troubles for the new owners. The Trump Organization has expressed interest in reacquiring the property as it has experienced renewed popularity as a gathering spot for Trump supporters and those seeking influence in his second administration. The situation highlights ongoing concerns about potential conflicts of interest and the monetization of political access.