Every day, title agents play a critical role in residential, commercial and industrial real estate transactions across the U.S. They work hand-in-hand with real estate agents, lenders, and homebuyers and sellers. They are real estate experts. But, how do they (collectively) feel about key real estate market metrics and industry issues? What’s their collective expectation for real estate prices and transaction volumes?

"We’re looking forward to watching how title agent sentiment tracks against actual market performance over time."

We launched a survey of title agents that work with First American in early August to find out, and more than 1,100 title agents from 49 states responded. Today, we’re very pleased to share the results as we launch the First American Future Transaction Index (FTI).

Overall, the inaugural FTI found that title agent sentiment at a state-by-state level for residential price increases over the next year is overwhelmingly positive. They also expressed broad-based confidence across all property types in the outlook for growth in purchase transaction volumes in the next 12 months. We also found that title agents were optimistic about their preparation for the implementation of the TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosure (TRID) forms in October.

We’re looking forward to watching how title agent sentiment tracks against actual market performance over time. Every quarter, we’ll conduct a new survey and post a new FTI with updated data. In fact, our next survey will go out in October and we’ll publish the results in December.

But for now, please dive into the inaugural FTI and let us know what you think.

[Editor's note: The Future Transaction Index has been renamed Real Estate Sentiment Index.]