Experts from a broad realm of real...

Experts from a broad realm of real estate specialties will assess the condition of Southern California real estate markets and outline opportunities for investors and developers at UCLA Extension/Los Angeles Times’ annual commercial real estate conference Feb. 12 at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

Registration is at 7:30 a.m. and there is a welcome program at 8, followed by presentations and panel discussions by leaders in real estate finance, planning, development and investment.

Speakers include: Eli Broad, chairman of SunAmerica Inc.; Roy March, president of Eastdil Realty; and Alison Lynn Reaser, chief of economics for Banc of America Capital Management Inc.

Among the topics will be combination retail and multifamily apartment developments, the effect of Sept. 11 on real estate insurance, Hollywood developments, finance, and investment strategies.

Cost of the conference is $275. For information and registration, visit the Web site at www.ucla extension.org/forecast2002, or call (310) 825-9971 or (818) 784-7006.

Sales of U.S condominiums and cooperatively owned apartments set a record in 2001 as mortgage rates fell, according to the National Assn. of Realtors.

Sales rose 3.8% to 738,000 from the previous record of 711,000 units in 2000, the Washington-based trade group said.

Sales in the fourth quarter of 2001 dropped 8% to an annual rate of 717,000 units from the previous quarter’s record rate of 779,000 units, and 0.6% from 721,000 units a year earlier.