USC Lusk Center

Seeking to advance real estate knowledge and address timely issues affecting the real estate industry, the urban economy, and public policy.

[USC Lusk Center @LuskCenter]

Watch or listen at the link in bio!

[USC Lusk Center @LuskCenter]

“1% risk” sounds low…until you look at it over time.

[USC Lusk Center @LuskCenter]

Highlights include:

- The limits of engineering as a standalone solution

- What “one water” thinking looks like in practice, from stormwater to wastewater

- The importance of integrating policy and practice to make cities more stable and investible

[USC Lusk Center @LuskCenter]

Full conversation at link in bio

[USC Lusk Center @LuskCenter]

The best upgrades aren’t always the most expensive.

[USC Lusk Center @LuskCenter]

In this clip from Lusk Perspectives, Ransford walks through the tradeoffs and why understanding them is key to making these properties work.

Link in bio for full conversation.

[USC Lusk Center @LuskCenter]

Section 8 housing is often misunderstood.

[USC Lusk Center @LuskCenter]

As Kyle Ransford (Cardinal Investments) explains, the economics differ from market-rate housing, but so do the timelines and how leasing works.

Lease-ups can take months, but once tenants are placed, the structure can offer more stability over time.

[USC Lusk Center @LuskCenter]

These insights come from a recent Lusk Perspectives podcast conversation focused on the day-to-day realities of workforce housing.

Link in bio for the full conversation 🎧

[USC Lusk Center @LuskCenter]

Many in real estate talk about finding the right deal.

In practice, it’s about running it well.

[USC Lusk Center @LuskCenter]

The fundamentals of real estate may not be complicated, but operations can erode that simplicity.

And in the end, the work is worth it.

[USC Lusk Center @LuskCenter]

Scharlemann presented a version of her paper, “Locked In: Mobility, Market Tightness, and House Prices”.

Thanks very much to Tess Scharlemann for sharing her work with us!

[USC Lusk Center @LuskCenter]

We were delighted to host Tess Scharlemann from the Federal Reserve in our research seminar series on April 10!

[USC Price School @USCPrice]

Mortgage rates finally dipped below 6%—but the relief didn’t last long.

After rising again amid global uncertainty, the housing market is facing renewed pressure. And according to Richard Green of the @LuskCenter, the issue goes beyond just interest rates.

It’s about confidence.

Homebuyers aren’t just thinking about today’s payments—they’re wondering what the next 5 or 10 years will look like. And right now, many aren’t feeling secure enough to make that commitment.

That uncertainty could keep the housing market stalled this spring.

Read more in the full article on @Marketplace: https://t.co/SqB3CK3Rke

[USC Lusk Center @LuskCenter]

The latest Lusk Perspectives discusses why management is one of the most overlooked parts of successful multifamily housing operations.

Link in bio for the full conversation.

[USC Lusk Center @LuskCenter]

Property management economics force some tough choices.

[USC Lusk Center @LuskCenter]

As Kyle Ransford (Cardinal Investments) explains, third-party managers often earn just 5–6% of rents to handle leasing, maintenance, and tenant needs.

This creates a tradeoff that is hard to balance: deliver strong service through additional fees, or find ways to cut costs.