Recent Posts by Mark Fleming
Mark Fleming is the chief economist for First American Financial Corporation and leads First American’s Decision Sciences team.
Top 5 Most and Least Affordable Housing Markets Amid Higher Rates
By
Mark Fleming on March 13, 2017
Recent economic data and comments by members of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) all suggest that the chance of a rate increase this week after the FOMC meets is substantially higher than it was just a few weeks ago. Now that we are most likely in a rising rate environment, what does it mean for housing affordability?
Read More ›
Two Trends Poised to Trigger Potential Surge in Homeownership Demand this Spring
By
Mark Fleming on March 2, 2017
The spring home-buying season is right around the corner. As we reflect back on the spring of last year, it becomes clear that we were spoiled in 2016 with mortgage rates well below 4 percent at the beginning spring, and flirting with record lows at 3.4 percent in the summer. This year began with mortgage rates at 4.25 percent, and concern ...
Read More ›
Market Potential Continues Slide in January as Higher Rates Reduce Supply
By
Mark Fleming on February 21, 2017
First American Chief Economist Mark Fleming shares his proprietary Potential Home Sales model with analysis of housing market trends in January 2017.
Read More ›
Is Love the Answer to Declining Homeownership?
By
Mark Fleming on February 13, 2017
For Valentine’s Day, we pondered the question, could more love lead to an increase in homeownership? This is a serious question because marriage and homeownership, perhaps the two most enduring institutions of our society, have shaped the economic fortunes of many Americans.
Read More ›
Just in Time for the Big Game: The Housing Benefit of Football Fandom
By
Mark Fleming on January 31, 2017
We all love our football, no more so than this weekend. But, it’s not just about cheering on your favorite team, guiltlessly eating wings, nachos or your favorite in-game football snack food, and gathering around that ever increasingly massive television (after all, it’s the second best time of the year to buy a television according to Consumer ...
Read More ›
Rising Mortgage Rates Dampen Market Potential in December
By
Mark Fleming on January 23, 2017
First American's proprietary Potential Home Sales model examines December 2016 data and includes analysis from Chief Economist Mark Fleming on the impact of rising rates amid growing demand and limited inventory.
Read More ›