Simon’s and Brookfield’s investments in bankrupt tenants are relatively small. But the deals can give them critical control of the real estate involved.

The low rate environment continues to make it a good time to refinance apartment properties, assuming you can find a lender willing to cut a deal.

In the second quarter, the U.S. homeownership rate jumped to 67.9 percent, according to the Census Bureau.

It’s been difficult for small businesses just to survive through a pandemic that shut them down for months. In states where virus cases are spiking, the frustration is multiplied exponentially.