Press Release

LOS ANGELES - Real estate economists from the University of Southern California Lusk Center for Real Estate are available this week to discuss the likely impacts on housing and the economy resulting from government intervention for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, proposed regulatory reform and the IndyMac bailout.

They can also discuss the relationship between current market fundamentals and house price levels, particularly with respect to California.

The following experts are available:

Richard K.

This position has oversight of the Department's research, program evaluation and policy development activities. Some of the country's most distinguished urban economists and housing finance experts have held this job in the past, and Prof. Bostic fits easily within this distinguished company.

LOS ANGELES (Business Wire) – Falling apartment rents across Southern California reflect the current recession as unemployed tenants move away or double up with friends or family while the affordability of foreclosed homes turns some renters into buyers.

• Faculty contribute latest thinking on current events in real estate
• Initial postings discuss concerns about commercial mortgage backed securities, the outlook for defaults in multifamily loans, and the impact of consumer downtrading on retail real estate

LOS ANGELES - The USC Lusk Center for Real Estate has started a real estate blog on its website (http://blogs.usc.edu/lusk) featuring up-to-the-minute postings by USC Lusk Center faculty on developments in real estate markets nationally and interna

LOS ANGELES - Stan Ross, chair of the University of Southern California Lusk Center for Real Estate, has been through 10 real estate cycles in his career and says there are many benefits to be gained from the current downturn if companies take the right steps to stay in business. In fact, he believes the survivors will become highly productive, more efficient, stronger teams operating with increased transparency for the good of the industry.

Gen Y will spur a new era of innovation and bring optimism to real estate

Rents predicted to remain flat for Orange County, San Diego County and the Inland Empire for the next eight quarters; Los Angeles County to see minor decline

A 25 percent increase in employment searches reflects changes in the industry's outlook

In his 2012 real estate industry forecast, University of Southern California Lusk Center for Real Estate (www.usc.edu/lusk) Chairman of the Board Stan Ross points to debt management as the key to surviving in a highly volatile market.

"There's a massive amount of debt still outstanding, from mortgage debt to institutional debt to state debt and the federal deficit. We need to refocus on debt management and the balance sheets." Ross says.