USC Lusk Center for Real Estate

The way we talk about storms hasn’t caught up with how water’s behavior is changing.

That mismatch has consequences for how we plan, build, and invest.

Listen to “When Water Rewrites the Rules” at the link in bio.

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

Roni Deitz (Arcadis) explains how the way we map flood risk can be misinterpreted, and why the risk is closer than it seems.

In the latest episode of Lusk Perspectives, Deitz highlights how water is reshaping real estate, infrastructure, and long-term investment.

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

Watch or listen at the link in bio.

The best upgrades aren’t always the most expensive.

As Kyle Ransford (Cardinal Investments) explains, a few key improvements like air conditioning, in-unit laundry, and dishwashers can go a long way in attracting and retaining tenants.

In this clip from Lusk Perspectives, he shares the upgrades residents notice first and why these relatively smaller upfront investments can make a meaningful difference in property performance.

Section 8 housing is often misunderstood.

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.

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

Property management economics force some tough choices.

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 hard-to-balance tradeoff: deliver strong service through additional fees, or find ways to cut costs.

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

Full conversation at the link in bio.

Many think value-add in real estate means big-budget renovations.

Kyle Ransford sees it differently: 80% of the opportunity is better management.

In the latest episode of Lusk Perspectives, Ransford (Cardinal Investments) joins Richard K. Green to share a practical look at workforce and affordable housing, from Section 8 tradeoffs to the realities of operating smaller multifamily properties in Los Angeles.

Highlights include:

- The top upgrades tenants feel first
- A realistic view of Section 8 housing’s challenges and opportunities
- The widening gap between operating costs and achievable rents

Watch or listen at the link in bio.

Lusk Director Richard Green is on the latest Trojan Talks with USC President Beong-Soo Kim.

Included in the discussion:
- Progress and challenges of rebuilding after the wildfires
- What really drives housing costs
- The key reason DTLA hasn't bounced back
- The future of cities and Los Angeles

Link to the full conversation is in the comments below ⬇️