Recent Posts by FirstAm Editor

Loan Application Defect and Fraud Risk Reaches Historically Measured Low Point

By FirstAm Editor on June 30, 2016
We’ve posted the May 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 decreased 2.7 percent in May as compared with April and decreased by 9.9 percent as compared with May 2015. The Defect Index is ... Read More

Loan Application Defect Index

“Brexit” Decision Uncertainty Contributed to Consumer House-Buying Power

By FirstAm Editor on June 23, 2016
The second edition of First American’s proprietary Real House Price Index (RHPI) looks at April 2016 data and includes analysis from First American Chief Economist Mark Fleming explaining the connection between “Brexit” and recent trends in rates for fixed-rate mortgages. Read More

Interest Rates Real House Price Index Income

Optimism for growth in real estate transactions improves substantially over last quarter

By FirstAm Editor on June 21, 2016
We invite you to browse the second quarter 2016 First American Real Estate Sentiment Index, which measures title agent sentiment on a variety of key market metrics and industry issues. In 2016, the survey has also tracked title agent sentiment regarding the implementation of the Know-Before-You-Owe rule, also referred to as the TILA-RESPA ... Read More

Interest Rates Real Estate Sentiment Index Federal Reserve

TheStreet.com - The Fed Holds Off on Rate Hike: Here’s what it means for your wallet

By FirstAm Editor on June 15, 2016
First American Chief Economist Mark Fleming is quoted in an article from TheStreet.com explaining the forces behind low mortgage rates. Read More

Housing In The News

Economic Turnaround in Detroit is Fast Improving its Defect Risk Profile

By FirstAm Editor on May 26, 2016
We’ve posted the April 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 decreased 1.3 percent in April as compared with March and decreased by 5.1 percent as compared with April 2015. The Defect ... Read More

Loan Application Defect Index

Let’s Get Real - Introducing the Real House Price Index (RHPI)

By FirstAm Editor on May 24, 2016
Nominal house prices have been increasing nationally in the US for several years, and some markets have seen significant appreciation in nominal house prices. But, nominal house prices are not adjusted for any inflation. The price of a house today is not directly comparable to the price of that same house 30 years ago because of the long-run ... Read More

Interest Rates Real House Price Index Income