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Lusk Perspectives

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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

U.S.-China Relations

February 14, 2023
Clayton Dube photo
Clayton Dube | Director, USC U.S.-China Institute

Clayton Dube (USC U.S.-China Institute) joins Richard K. Green (USC Lusk Center for Real Estate) to discuss the condition of U.S.-China relations and the latest developments in China’s global influence on trade, supply chain issues, technology, and more. Dube highlights a challenge Chinese officials are watching closely in the coming years: stalling economic growth. To approach the “middle-income” problem, Dube notes the ways in which the government has both relaxed and tightened its grip on markets in an effort to continue the economy’s upward momentum.

Included in the discussion:

  • Security concerns between the U.S. and China
  • The important distinction between China’s total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and GDP per capita
  • How China’s tech rivalry with the U.S. is evolving
  • Why Chinese firms have overpaid in key U.S. real estate transactions

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2023 Global Economic and Market Outlook

December 13, 2022
Headshot: Joyce Chang
Joyce Chang | Managing Director & Chair of Global Research, JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Joyce Chang delivers an overview of global economic trends to watch heading into 2023 and beyond.

In the near term, Chang sees a mild recession taking effect in late 2023, with a true “soft landing”, as identified by the Federal Reserve, being unlikely. She notes that overall cycles may be shorter, with a likelihood of 4-year recessions rather than the historic 8 or 10, and markets that rally faster to regain losses.

Included in the long-term outlook are remarks on China’s slowing growth, regions that could benefit from supply chain shifts away from China and nearshoring, and the political divides in the US around ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) projects and investing.

Richard K. Green also fields questions on the US housing crisis, how rapidly rising interest rates could affect regional banks and nontraditional finance, the implications of a global aging population, and more.

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2022 Casden Multifamily Forecast Report

November 10, 2022
Richard K. Green
Richard K. Green | Director, USC Lusk Center for Real Estate

Lusk Director Richard K. Green delivers highlights from the 2022 Casden Multifamily Forecast Report. 

Before Green gives a breakdown of Southern California multifamily real estate markets, he pauses to discuss four uncertainties impacting the region. Inflation, interest rates, net migration, and the impending recession are all top-of-mind issues that could dilute the forecast’s potency should any of the factors take a dramatic rise or dip.

As for the forecast, Green reviews historical and forecasted data on each market, including overall economic resiliency, net migration since the pandemic began, construction activity, vacancy rates, rent growth, and more. Regions covered include Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, the Inland Empire, and Ventura.

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Leadership and Rethinking Work

September 16, 2022
Mary Lynne Boorn
Mary Lynne Boorn | Associate Professor, USC Sol Price School of Public Policy
Allison Lynch
Allison Lynch | Compass Ventures
Amalia Paliobeis
Amalia Paliobeis | Senior Director, Portfolio Management, AvantStay
Brandi Popovich
Brandi Popovich | Vice President, Talent Acquisition, SoLa Impact

An industry panel discusses the changing dynamics of office work in real estate and beyond.

By now, it’s apparent that some version of remote work is here to stay for a dominant number of firms. Remote and hybrid work can solve serious employee issues like flexibility, commute times, and even productivity. However, the new work arrangements are not without drawbacks. 

Moderator Mary Lynne Boorn (USC Price) invites Allison Lynch (Compass Ventures), Amalia Paliobeis (AvantStay), and Brandi Popovich (SoLa Impact) to bring insights from their unique perspective on hiring and retention, adaptive management styles, office space, and to discuss lessons learned in distributed work environments.

Included in the discussion:

  • The new costs of mandating an entirely in-person work week
  • How remote environments impact mentorship
  • Crucial in-person activities for employees and employers
  • Strategies for preserving company culture

Links to mentioned resources:

 

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Are Appraisals and Assessments Biased?

August 22, 2022
Ruchi Singh
Ruchi Singh | Assistant Professor, University of Georgia
Norm Miller
Norm Miller | Hahn Chair & Professor of Real Estate Finance, University of San Diego

Racial bias in home appraisals and assessments is not just an anecdote. Norm Miller (University of San Diego and Homer Hoyt Institute), Ruchi Singh (University of Georgia), and Richard K. Green (USC Lusk Center for Real Estate) discuss the statistically significant racial and ethnic biases in appraisals and tax assessments. 

Miller details the validity of recent analysis on valuation gaps from Freddie Mac as well as the benefits of automated valuation models. He also cautions that using machine learning without human oversight of variables can result in a different set of biases. 

Singh shows how assessments are regressive, often resulting in a mismatch of a lower property value with higher property taxes. She also points out contributing factors, including why excluding information like nearby schools or the condition of the home can set the assessments in opposition to appraisals. 

More from the discussion:

  • How to make the assessment process fairer
  • The importance of loan-to-value ratios in underwriting
  • Pressure appraisers face in avoiding errors
  • Why short-term and long-term appraisal models will be required to avoid bias

Relevant links:

 

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