Housing Market Trends

From the First American Economic Center

The First American Economic Center has you covered with in-depth analysis and expert insights on the latest data and trends in the industry.

Recent Posts by Mark Fleming

Mark Fleming is the chief economist for First American Financial Corporation and leads First American’s Decision Sciences team.

Why Education is the Best Investment for Homeownership

By Mark Fleming on September 7, 2018
Whether students are beginning middle school or their last year of college, back-to-school season is here. Although many students may grimace when they hear “back to school,” they won’t regret pursuing a higher education as adults as they compete for well-paying jobs and one day, hopefully, buy a home. Read More

Housing Income Homeownership

Impact of FinTech Investment Felt in Nearly All Markets

By Mark Fleming on August 31, 2018
The Loan Application Defect Index for purchase transactions continued its downward trend, declining 1.3 percent in July compared with the month before, the seventh consecutive month defect risk in purchase transactions have fallen. Yet, is declining loan application misrepresentation, defect and fraud risk isolated to a few markets or is the trend ... Read More

Fraud Loan Application Defect Index

Has House Price Appreciation Reached a Tipping Point?

By Mark Fleming on August 27, 2018
House price appreciation remains on a tear, as unadjusted home prices nationwide increased by 7.3 percent compared with a year ago and are now 1.3 percent above the housing boom peak in 2006, according to DataTree by First American. The U.S. economy continues to perform well, as the current economic expansion reaches record levels, prompting some ... Read More

Real House Price Index Affordability

Why Hasn’t Economic Momentum Lifted Home Sales?

By Mark Fleming on August 21, 2018
The U.S. economy remains on an impressive growth streak. Last month, the Commerce Department reported that the gross domestic product, the broadest measure of goods and services produced in the economy, grew at a 4.1 percent annualized rate in the second quarter, the strongest pace of growth since 2014. The economy has added jobs every month for ... Read More

Housing Interest Rates Homeownership

Did July Housing Starts Signal More Housing Supply for Home Buyers?

By Mark Fleming on August 17, 2018
The short answer is yes. Home buyers looking for more housing supply to choose from can take heart, as Thursday’s Census Bureau report on housing construction showed builders are starting work on additional housing, inching closer to balancing inventory with demand. Read More

Housing Housing Starts Homeownership

Why Renter House-Buying Power is the Key to Understanding Housing Affordability

By Mark Fleming on August 6, 2018
With unadjusted house prices recently eclipsing their 2006 housing boom peak, housing affordability is a concern in the industry and for potential home buyers. Existing home owners, by definition, can afford one so, when we are speaking about housing affordability, it is really a conversation about first-time home buyers. Read More

Housing First-Time Homebuyer Affordability Homeownership