Urban Economics and Real Estate

Real 945
This course covers fundamental and cutting-edge topics in urban economics and real estate as well as the most important econometric issues that arise in the estimation of urban economics and real estate models.  The first part of the course focuses on the application of modern econometric methods to analyze empirical questions in the broad urban economics field, which includes topics from public economics and local finances, such as household sorting and valuation of public goods.  This part of the course is especially concerned about dealing with non-experimental data, and also provides a guide for tools that are useful for applied research.  The second and third parts of the course examine the economic modeling and intuition of a range of topics in urban economics and real estate, such as spatial equilibrium, supply and demand of space, house prices and cycles.  In addition, special emphasis is given to how the understanding of economic theory and institutions can help any empirical analysis.  At the end of the course students should have a firm grasp of theory and econometric tools that lead to convincing empirical applications.

Undergraduate and MBA

Real Estate Finance: Investment and Analysis

Finance 209/721
Real Estate 209/721

This course provides a broad introduction to real estate markets. Value of land, real estate prices, basic project evaluation, financing strategies, and capital markets issues related to real estate are covered. No prior knowledge of the industry is required, but students are expected to rapidly acquire a working knowledge of real estate markets. Classes are conducted in a standard lecture format with discussion encouraged. The course contains cases that help students evaluate the impact of more complex financing and capital markets tools used in real estate.