Research
Research Overview
Like the real estate industry, The Center for Real Estate and Urban Analysis research agenda is evolving over time. Originally focused on walkable and sustainable communities with projects lead by Professor Emeritus Chris Leinberger that can be found online. Our work has expanded to include changing trends in the housing market with a project by Dr. Vanessa Perry on the State of Homeownership in Black America and one with Dr. Elaine Worzala as co-author on housing turnover and the economic base of a community 2020 Chris Cain, Thomas M. Springer and Elaine Worzala, “Housing turnover and employment change”. Journal of Housing Research, 29 (2): 89-106. In addition, Dr. Worzala has recently published papers focused on the growing importance of technology in the real estate industry , as well as papers analyzing the real estate academic community The influence of changes in the workplace on graduate real estate education” Journal of Real Estate Practice and Education, 22 (1): 67-80, and real estate education.
Going forward, the Center will continue to work on projects that stay at the forefront of issues as they impact our industry and opportunities arise to study the use of the built environment. We will always be applied in focus and complete studies that help to solve the important problems facing the real estate sector. Our goal is to actively bring together students, faculty, and industry to better understand the complex nature of this asset class. We plan to encourage other research faculty at GWU and around the world to complete research that is relevant and responsible as well as practical and useful to our constituents. Watch us as we cement our reputation as thought leaders in this incredibly dynamic and exciting industry.
Research Studies
Thank you in advance for reading our robust selection of research!
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New to Date Studies:
Tipping the SCALE: Will Alternative Data Promote or Impede Fair Lending Goals?
It has been more than 50 years since the passage of the Fair Housing Act, yet the homeownership rates of Blacks continue to be some 30 percentage points below those achieved by non-Latinx Whites.
Homeward Bound: Removing Barriers to Mortgage Credit for Black Homebuyers
We analyze some of the key barriers to Black homeownership and propose several solutions that promise to expand homeownership opportunities, lower the costs of homeownership, and hasten equity accumulation for Black households.
Algorithms for All: Has Digitalization in the Mortgage Market Expanded Access to Homeownership?
Digitalization is transforming the mortgage market at every stage of the value chain.
Be Careful What You Ask For: The Economic Impact of Changing the Structure of Real Estate Agent Fees
This paper develops a simple economic model to illustrate how changing the current compensation structure could affect potential buyers’ ability to qualify for a mortgage and purchase a home.
A Loan At Last: Race and Racism in Mortgage Lending
Homeownership is the primary source of wealth accumulation in the U.S., yet homeownership rates for Blacks and Latinx households remain significantly lower than those of White Americans
Reimaging our cities by focusing on the S in ES
The Covid pandemic has pushed ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) initiatives to the forefront for many stakeholders in the commercial real estate community.
Housing prices, vacant units surge in Foggy Bottom and the West End
This paper examines how off-campus housing prices have climbed since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Buy to rent frenzy
The Post and Courier
This article examines the rent to buy single-family housing in the Charleston Area.
The Human Factor:“The unknown unknowns”
This paper examines how this decision-making framework can be used to better inform real estate investment and development.
Self Storage Industry Trends
Self-storage responds to various storage needs that arise from life changes and events.
Homeward Bound: Removing Barriers To Mortgage Credit For Black Homebuyers
Homeownership is the primary source of wealth accumulation in the United States, yet homeownership rates for Black households remain significantly lower.
LOCUS National Opportunity Zone Ranking Report
The LOCUS National Opportunity Zone Ranking Report, first of its kind, ranks each of the designated
Opportunity Zones based on its Smart Growth Potential (SGP).
The State of Homeownership in Black America
The purpose of this annual report is to present the current state of homeownership for Black Americans while highlighting current challenges as well as opportunities for closing the homeownership gap.
The rise of PropTech: emerging industrial technologies and their impact on real estate
The entry explores the Industry 4.0 to commercial real estate, resulting in a framework defined here as Real Estate 4.0, a concept that encompasses fintech and proptech.
The technological impact on real estate investing: robots vs humans: new applications for organizational and portfolio strategies
The purpose of this entry is to present a roadmap for real estate operating companies (REOCs) to transform themselves into tech-centric enterprises.
The influence of changes in the workplace on graduate real estate education?
This research incorporates previous surveys on real estate education with an eye on the future of real estate education in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, also referred to as Industry 4.0.
Housing Turnover and Employment Change
As the economy strengthens and employment increases, the relevance of how employment changes affect housing turnover becomes more apparent.
The WalkUP Wake Up Call: Dallas-Fort Worth
This report presents evidence of the surprising re-emergence of walkable urban places in metropolitan Dallas-Ft. Worth.
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