Annual Economic Forecast Luncheon - 2026

Description

Join us for insight into national housing trends and what is next for Houston homebuilding and development. 

Odeta Kushi VP, Deputy Chief Economist, First American Financial Corporation will headline this event, giving us a look at the headwinds and tailwinds for the industry. Odeta Kushi is the deputy chief economist at First American Financial Corporation, a premier provider of title, settlement, and risk solutions for real estate transactions and the leader in the digital transformation of its industry. In this role, Kushi leads the development of analysis, commentary, and forecasts on trends in the real estate and mortgage markets. Kushi’s research focuses on economic trends impacting real estate, including demographic shifts, affordability, and housing supply, as well as monitoring and analyzing quarterly surveys and economic data related to the housing industry. 

Highly regarded as an industry expert, Kushi regularly delivers keynote presentations at national and international events. Kushi is also a frequent guest on top national and international television and radio programs, including Marketplace, CNBC, Yahoo! Finance, and Reuters TV, offering insights and perspectives on the forces shaping the housing industry. Her research has been published in leading business and industry trade publications, including The Wall Street Journal, U.S. News & World Report, Business Insider, HousingWire, and Inman News. She publishes research and analysis on First American’s Economic Center and co-hosts The REconomy Podcast™ with Chief Economist Mark Fleming. 

In recognition of her contributions to the industry, Kushi was named a GlobeSt. 2024 Woman of Influence, a HousingWire 2023 Woman of Influence, and a 2023 leading woman in homebuilding by Builder & Developer magazine, among other honors. Kushi graduated from Northeastern University with a master’s degree in economics, specializing in applied econometric methods, and she earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from St. John Fisher College, graduating Summa Cum Laude. She is completing her Ph.D. in economics from George Mason University. Originally from Albania, she now lives and works in Washington, D.C.