Research Briefs

USC Lusk Center for Real Estate Director Richard Green on the state of the mortgage and housing markets.

By Jack Katzanek. Many believe that eliminating a tax break for homeowners that allows them to deduct mortgage interest would greatly increase the number of foreclosures.

By Wendy Lee. Small businesses worry about competition from a major retailer.

By Carolyn Said. Construction of new homes around the Bay Area is on an upswing this year, showing signs of a return to normal following its surge during the housing boom and its dismal retrenchment during the downturn.

By Kathleen Pender. Judging by the first and second presidential debates, you'd think the housing crisis was behind us.

By Jim Puzzanghera. New residential construction starts surged 15 percent in September to their highest annual rate in more than four years, as the housing sector continued to show signs of a burgeoning rebound.

By Andrea Brambila. Consequences of eliminating or limiting tax break for mortgage borrowers debated.

By Pete Carey. The mortgage interest tax deduction beloved by many Americans is a logical target for raising revenue to deal with growing deficits, a leading housing economist said Friday.

By Joshua H. Silavent. There is a long road ahead before the nation's jobless rate resumes a stable level – it currently stands at 7.9 percent. But positive trends in the labor market are emerging throughout California.

By Rob Wile. After the election, some commentators relaunched the argument over whether America has experienced a permanent blue state/red state split.