Recent Posts by Mark Fleming

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

When Does a Home Become a Prison?

By Mark Fleming on July 19, 2017
The housing market is suffering from a supply shortage, not a demand dilemma. As Millennial first-time homebuyer demand continues to increase, the inventory of homes for sale tightens. At the same time, prices are increasing, so why aren’t there more homeowners selling their homes? Read More

Housing

Housing Market Faces Dilemma as Millennial Demand Continues to Grow

By Mark Fleming on June 20, 2017
First American’s proprietary Potential Home Sales model examines May 2017 data and includes analysis from First American Chief Economist Mark Fleming on how the real estate market is performing versus its potential. Read More

Housing Millennials Affordability

Here’s Why a Fed Rate Increase Does Not Matter to the Housing Market

By Mark Fleming on June 13, 2017
With the Federal Reserve Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting to decide whether to increase the Federal Funds rate in just a few days, the potential for an increase in mortgage rates dominates the housing news and industry chatter. Yet, changes to the short-term rate matter little to the housing market. Read More

Interest Rates Federal Reserve

Market Potential Caught in the Crosswinds of Surging Demand and Tightening Inventory

By Mark Fleming on May 23, 2017
First American’s proprietary Potential Home Sales model looks at April 2017 data and includes analysis from First American Chief Economist Mark Fleming on how the real estate market is performing versus its potential. Read More

Housing Interest Rates

Do Unexplained Homeownership Gaps Exist?

By Mark Fleming on April 20, 2017
Homeownership is a goal shared among all people, regardless of race or ethnicity, and remains the main driver of wealth creation for the majority of households in the United States. That is why it is vital to understand the underlying characteristics that influence the probability of homeownership. Over the last several months, my research has ... Read More

Education Homeownership Progress Index

Market Potential Remains Flat, But Is Tight Inventory Relief on the Way?

By Mark Fleming on April 19, 2017
First American’s proprietary Potential Home Sales model looks at March 2017 data and includes analysis from First American Chief Economist Mark Fleming on how the market is performing versus its potential. Read More

Housing Interest Rates