We study long-term returns on residential real estate in twenty-seven "superstar" cities in fifteen countries over 150 years. We find that total returns in superstar cities are close to 100 basis points lower per year than in the rest of the country. House prices tend to grow faster in the...

We study long-term returns on residential real estate in 27 "superstar" cities in 15 countries over 150 years. We find that total returns in superstar cities are close to 100 basis points lower per year than in the rest of the country. House prices tend to grow faster in the superstars, but rent...

This paper presents a first view on the effects of COVID-19 and subsequent shutdown and re-opening orders on residential real estate markets. We use micro-level data on property transactions from a large number of multiple listing services and find moderate aggregate pricing effects in the...

This paper answers fundamental questions that have preoccupied modern economic thought since the 18th century. What is the aggregate real rate of return in the economy? Is it higher than the growth rate of the economy and, if so, by how much? Is there a tendency for returns to fall in the...

We present a view of housing market effects relating health crises to house prices. Using data on opioid prescriptions and repeat sales in Ohio, we find that house price changes around opioid dispensaries (pharmacies and practitioners) are negatively associated with the quantity of opioids...