Real Estate Finance at the Center of What’s Next
The Center for Real Estate Finance at the University of Oklahoma (OU) connects the university community with the real estate industry across Oklahoma and North Texas. It serves as a hub for OU faculty research that shapes real estate markets around the world. The Center also supports programs within the Division of Finance and the Price College of Business, helping to develop the next generation of real estate leaders.
Our mission is to connect real estate professionals with academic excellence to advance industry knowledge and leadership.
The Center is led by Director James Young, whose research and industry expertise guide the Center’s strategic direction, research initiatives, and applied investment programs. Leadership within the Division of Finance and the Price College of Business supports the Center’s mission to expand real estate education, research visibility, and industry collaboration.
The Center publishes recurring Real Estate Market Review Reports that provide data-driven insights into regional and national market trends. These reports analyze key indicators such as property performance, investment activity, pricing trends, and economic conditions influencing real estate markets.
Reports are released periodically and organized by publication date, allowing students, researchers, and industry professionals to access current and historical market analysis. These publications demonstrate applied research and support informed decision-making across the real estate and investment community.
The Research Library serves as a centralized resource featuring working papers, academic research, and faculty publications related to real estate finance, investment analysis, and market behavior. The library highlights research conducted by Center leadership and University of Oklahoma faculty, contributing to broader academic and industry discussions.
Research topics may include real estate investment strategies, market forecasting, financial modeling, risk analysis, and housing economics. Content is organized by research theme and updated regularly to ensure accessibility and relevance for students, researchers, and industry professionals.
The Center hosts and promotes events that bring together students, faculty, and industry professionals through meaningful educational and professional engagement. These events create opportunities to learn from visiting leaders, explore emerging research, and strengthen connections between the university and the real estate community.
Our News content provides updates on the Center’s recent activities, including research developments, event summaries, and student engagement. Check back often for the latest updates.
Mark your calendar for Monday, May 4th between 11:00 and 1:00 to come down to Dodson Lounge and learn more about real estate!
Real estate is about more than selling houses. This is an opportunity to meet real estate professionals from the legal world, development, commercial real estate, brokerage, and management. They are here to share what they do and describe their day-to-day activities! Attire is business casual and lunch is provided.
Cathy O'Connor joined our Real Estate Modeling & Analysis class to discuss her role in shaping many of Oklahoma City’s most significant development projects. As former Assistant City Manager to the City of Oklahoma City and President of The Alliance for Economic Development of Oklahoma City, Cathy helped structure and finance major projects including the Omni Convention Center Hotel and the redevelopment of the Skirvin, a Hilton Hotel.
There was a great turnout for Price Career Center Dine & Learn with JPMorganChase! Students had the opportunity to gain valuable insights into Commercial Real Estate, along with a closer look at upcoming internship pathways with JPMorganChase.
We were honored to host William Forrest and Stuart Graham from CBRE, along with special guest Jeff Hardy, Director of the Real Estate Institute at the University of Santa Clara. It was especially meaningful to welcome OU alumni among our speakers and see the impact they’ve made across the industry. Our members had the opportunity to learn how each of them broke into commercial real estate, gain advice on how to be successful, and ask thoughtful questions about navigating their own careers.
Director, Center for Real Estate Finance
Professor, Division of Finance
Price College of Business
