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Real Conversations, Real Estate

During a time of great uncertainty and rapid change, connection and information is a more important resource than ever before. Today's issues could be amplified or altered in a matter of days or hours, so it is vital that organizations and thought leaders frequently share knowledge, dispel rumors, and offer insight.

Hosted by Professor and Lusk Center Director Richard K. Green, Lusk Perspectives offers timely analysis and shares accurate data vetted by leading experts on the latest developments and observations concerning policy, real estate, urban economics and more.

Once interviews are conducted, resources and videos will be made available here and on podcast channels as soon as possible.

Latest Perspectives

2025 Housing Market: Local Trends in a National Slowdown Watch Now

2025 Housing Market: Local Trends in a National Slowdown

August 01, 2025

Selma Hepp Chief Economist

Selma Hepp (Cotality) joins Richard K. Green (USC Lusk Center for Real Estate) to unpack the third year of low home sales as affordability and insurance reshape demand across the US.

From Florida’s downturn to California’s inventory bump, the conversation explores local shifts and their contributions to national trends. Hepp also shares how new climate risk tools could change pricing and property insurance in the future.

Highlights include:

  • Why home sales today look worse than in the aftermath of the Great Recession
  • What makes Austin’s home value decline so unique
  • Why the Midwest and New England lead the nation in home price growth
  • How climate risk and insurance are impacting migration
  • The growing role of small investors, especially in housing markets with constrained supply

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From Florida’s Downturn To The Winner’s Curse: How Economics Affects The Markets And Our Lives Watch Now

From Florida’s Downturn To The Winner’s Curse: How Economics Affects The Markets And Our Lives
Daryl Fairweather Chief Economist

What’s driving today’s housing market shifts? How can economic principles help us navigate life and career choices?

Daryl Fairweather (Redfin) joins Richard K. Green (USC Lusk Center for Real Estate) and offers a glimpse at US housing markets before diving into insights from her new book Hate the Game. The conversation starts with Florida’s drop in home price appreciation, California’s middle-of-the-pack performance, and the Midwest’s rise before turning to Fairweather’s career journey from academia to tech.

Highlights include:

  • Key factors in the Midwest and Rust Belt’s turnaround
  • How insurance costs and HOA fees are changing the condo market in Florida and beyond.
  • What economic exams for PhDs tell us about the kind of talent they seek.
  • How economic tools like backward induction can help leverage promotions.
  • Why winning a home buying bid could be worse than losing.

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Tariffs, Taxes, Trepidation: Real Estate Capital Markets Watch Now

Tariffs, Taxes, Trepidation: Real Estate Capital Markets

June 26, 2025

Kev Zoryan Founder & Managing Partner

With fewer transactions to measure, what’s happening in real estate capital markets, and what’s next?

Kev Zoryan (Arselle Investments) joins Richard K. Green (USC Lusk Center for Real Estate) to explore the state of capital markets and how today’s environment is reshaping investment strategy. Zoryan shares his path from private equity to launching his own firm addressing the succession gap he sees in real estate organizations.

Highlights include:

- Why matching capital to strategy is more critical than ever
- How return metrics have evolved and what to prioritize
- Where the US stands as a priority for global capital amid uncertainty
- What refinancing challenges may still loom for commercial real estate

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