USC Lusk Center

Watch or listen at the link in bio!

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

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

Full conversation at link in bio

The best upgrades aren’t always the most expensive.

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.

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.

Section 8 housing is often misunderstood.

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 🎧

The fundamentals of real estate may not be complicated, but operations can erode that simplicity. And in the end, the work is worth it.

Many in real estate talk about finding the right deal. In practice, it’s about running it well.

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!

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

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: uscprice.page/4mumyrG

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.

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.

Property management economics force some tough choices.