..."I think the focus of the stimulus package was not real estate, per se, but to help small business and increase jobs," said Gary Painter, associate professor and director of research at the University of Southern California's Lusk Center for Real Estate. However, Painter said, provisions in the legislation to assist homebuyers coupled with the Obama administration's plans to stem the tide of foreclosures and reduce homeowners' mortgage payments could free up money consumers might spend in stores, which would boost shopping centers and potentially industrial and office properties as well...
