Recent Posts by FirstAm Editor

What’s Behind the December Dip in Housing Affordability?
By
FirstAm Editor on February 27, 2017
First American’s proprietary Real House Price Index (RHPI) looks at December 2016 data and includes analysis from First American Chief Economist Mark Fleming on the decline in affordability as consumer house-buying power dipped due to rising rates.
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Market Composition Shift Accelerating Loan Application Defect Risk?
By
FirstAm Editor on February 24, 2017
We’ve posted the January First American Loan Application Defect Index, which estimates the frequency of defects, fraudulence and misrepresentation in the information submitted in mortgage loan applications. The Defect Index increased 5.8 percent in January 2017 as compared with the previous month, and decreased 3.9 percent as compared to January ...
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Money Matters Radio Interview – Does Marriage Matter to Homeownership?
By
FirstAm Editor on February 17, 2017
First American Chief Economist Mark Fleming is interviewed on Money Matters Radio in Boston and shares his perspective on the connection between marriage, declining homeownership rates, and Millennial home buying.
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Rising Rates and Strong Nominal Price Growth Halt Six-Month Run of Increasing Affordability
By
FirstAm Editor on January 30, 2017
First American’s proprietary Real House Price Index (RHPI) looks at November 2016 data and includes analysis from First American Chief Economist Mark Fleming on a shift in affordability as real house prices increased for the first time in six months.
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Defect Risk Rises Modestly on Shift toward Purchase-Dominated Market
By
FirstAm Editor on January 26, 2017
We’ve posted the December First American Loan Application Defect Index, which estimates the frequency of defects, fraudulence and misrepresentation in the information submitted in mortgage loan applications. The Defect Index increased 1.5 percent in December 2016 as compared with November 2016 and decreased by 9.2 percent as compared to December ...
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Infographic - Why Did Market Potential Pull Back in December?
By
FirstAm Editor on January 24, 2017
The infographic below provides some additional perspective on the market forces influencing First American Chief Economist Mark Fleming's proprietary Potential Home Sales model in December 2016.
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