This study explores the impact of investment characteristics, mainly investment location relative to the firm's primary market, on financing choices by real estate investment trusts (REITs). Using a large sample of commercial property acquisitions, we show that REITs are 4-8% less likely to use...

In mortgage debt contracts, real property serves as collateral and the terms of mortgage financing are largely conditional on the certification of collateral value by appraisers. However, overstatement of collateral value is common in the appraisal industry, causing troubles in the mortgage...

Following concerns about undervaluation of minority-owned homes, we examine the incidence of racial appraisal bias using a nationwide sample of refinanced mortgages from 2000 to 2007. A unique feature of our data is that they allow us to observe the race of the both the homeowner and the...

We investigate whether religion acts as a deterrent to the types of mortgage misrepresentation that played a significant role in the recent housing boom and bust. Using a large sample of mortgages originated from 2000 to 2007, we provide evidence that local religious adherence (religiosity) is...

We explore the role of location in the financing of commercial real estate acquisitions by real estate investment trusts (REITs). More specifically, we examine how the location of a property relative to a REIT's main business location affects the financing of that property. We find that REITs...

Existing studies generally document large price discounts for foreclosures and short sales, implying large inefficiencies in real estate markets. We consider an alternative approach that leverages the expertise and local market knowledge of residential real estate appraisers. Our approach deals...

We consider the use and impact of distressed properties as comparables in residential appraisals. First, we describe the incidence of their use and their relative comparability; second, we estimate their impact on the appraisal value itself; and third, we consider their impact on the probability...

An expansion in mortgage credit to subprime borrowers is widely believed to have been a principal driver of the 2002-06 U.S. house price boom. Contrary to this belief, we show that the house price and subprime booms occurred in different places. Counties with the largest home price appreciation...

En este trabajo se examinan los prestamos efectuados por un cartel genoves a Felipe II de España (1556-1598) bajo la perspectiva de la teoria de la deuda soberana. Se concluye que un tipo de modelos, en los que se supone que los prestamistas tienen un instrumento de penalizacion adicional al...

La naturaleza de la interaccion repetida ha sido estudiada extensamente en la literatura de juegos repetidos. Abreu (1988), Abreu, Pearce y Stacchetti (1986, 1990) y Cronshaw y Luenberger (1994) desarrollan un enfoque recursivo para caracterizar juegos repetidos centrandose en los valores...