Recent Posts by Mark Fleming
Mark Fleming is the chief economist for First American Financial Corporation and leads First American’s Decision Sciences team.
Three Reasons to Remain Bullish on Housing
By
Mark Fleming on January 17, 2017
Last week, I participated in the 2017 Housing Market Forecast and Homebuyer Trends webinar hosted by the American Land Title Association (ALTA). Jessica Lautz, a consumer research expert from the National Association of Realtors, and I discussed how the real estate market is changing and what we can expect. We tried to answer the question posed in ...
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Home [ownership] for the Holidays
By
Mark Fleming on December 22, 2016
No matter your life stage, ‘tis the season to pack up your stuff and head home for the holidays. Home is where we congregate with family and friends over a hot meal, catch up on events, and maybe even ring in the New Year. But, home does not look the same for all. In fact, “home” doesn’t have to be the white picket fence with the smoking chimney ...
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What a Difference an Election Makes
By
Mark Fleming on December 13, 2016
What a difference an election makes. Since the election, we have seen a pronounced increase in the popular 30 year-fixed mortgage rate. In the words of Federal Reserve Chairman Janet Yellen, financial markets expect that expansionary fiscal policy will accelerate U.S. economic growth and increase inflation. As a result, the 30-year fixed mortgage ...
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Housing Interest Rates Real House Price Index Federal Reserve
Lack of Affordable Inventory Keeps Market Below Potential
By
Mark Fleming on November 21, 2016
October 2016 Potential Home Sales
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Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Homeownership
By
Mark Fleming on November 18, 2016
It’s that time of year again. The time when we come together and celebrate the American tradition of giving thanks for the many blessings in our lives. Often we give thanks for having the basic necessities of life: food, health, water and shelter. While all of these things are vital to human existence, as a housing economist, I naturally tend to ...
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Seeking Certainty Again
By
Mark Fleming on November 9, 2016
Our analysis in recent months has touched on the influence of uncertainty on our housing market. In particular, two significant events have influenced housing markets this past year. First, the Brexit benefit to the housing market triggered by the vote in the United Kingdom to leave the European Union this past summer. Second, and more recently, ...
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