As one of the world’s most prolific real estate researchers, Zhenguo Lin has spent decades analyzing the housing market, mortgage trends and the socioeconomic forces that shape homeownership. Ranked as the No. 2 real estate researcher in the world, Lin is a professor at the Tibor and Sheila Hollo School of Real Estate at FIU Business.
To Lin, research is an invigorating pursuit rather than a job.
“For me, research is like playing a game. There’s always something new to uncover,” said Lin. “I actually forget about time.”
His extensive research has influenced policymakers, financial institutions and academic discussion, earning recognition from government agencies and media outlets alike. One of his papers was even cited by former Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke in his speech at the Global Financial Literacy Summit in 2009 in Washington, DC.
Lin’s journey into real estate research began at Fannie Mae, where he worked for seven years, gaining invaluable firsthand experience in the mortgage industry at one of the biggest players in housing loans.
“The issues they discuss are very relevant to ordinary people and to society as a whole,” said Lin. “For me, it was a great benefit working for them.”
That tenure shaped his approach to research, allowing him to address pressing issues such as racial disparities in mortgage lending, gender-based financial discrimination and the impact of social capital on homeownership.
“Real estate affects everyone,” Lin said. “The research I conduct is not just for academia but for communities and policymakers to make informed decisions that improve financial stability and equity.”
One recent study, “Financial Literacy and Mortgage Stress,” which appeared in the June 2024 issue of the Journal of Banking & Finance, uncovered how knowledge gaps in financial literacy disproportionately impact Black homeowners. Lin’s findings suggested that education programs could mitigate foreclosure risks and help borrowers navigate complex lending environments.
Another groundbreaking study, “Market Distortions with Collusion of Agents,” which appeared in the May 2024 issue of the Journal of Banking and Finance, examined alleged collusion among real estate agents, revealing evidence that buyer and seller agents sometimes influence home prices in ways that align with their commission incentives. This research contributed to national discussions on industry transparency and ethics, reinforcing the need for policy reforms.
“There was evidence of agent collusion,” said Lin. “Now there’s a lawsuit. Our research findings seemed to support this.”
Lin remains at the forefront of real estate scholarship. His research is driving conversations that extend far beyond academic discourse.
As FIU Business continues to make its mark on the global real estate research landscape, Lin’s work stands as a testament to the power of data-driven insights in shaping the future of housing and financial policy.