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.

A Tale of Two Economies – Investing in U.S. Commercial Real Estate

By Mark Fleming on May 12, 2016
We typically, actually almost exclusively, focus on residential real estate in the Economics Center. But, today it’s time to broaden our horizons. Focusing on residential real estate misses all the shops, restaurants, warehouses, hospitals and offices like the one I am sitting in right now writing this. In short, focusing on residential real ... Read More

Millennials

Existing-Home Sales Falling Short of Potential

By Mark Fleming on April 14, 2016
For the month of March, First American’s proprietary Potential Home Sales model showed that the market for existing-home sales is underperforming its potential by 11.5 percent or an estimated 664,000 seasonally adjusted, annualized rate (SAAR) of sales. The Potential Home Sales model provides a gauge on whether existing-home sales are under or ... Read More

Housing

Market Activity Continues to Track Potential

By Mark Fleming on March 17, 2016
For the month of February, First American’s proprietary Potential Home Sales model showed that the market potential for existing-home sales grew by 1.0 percent compared with January and increased by 3.6 percent compared with a year ago. The Potential Home Sales model provides a gauge on whether existing-home sales are under or over their long-run ... Read More

Housing

How Long Will Rates Stay Low

By Mark Fleming on March 16, 2016
This week, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) is holding their March meeting where they could, just possibly, decide to increase the benchmark Federal Funds Rate again. According to one survey by CNBC, the vast majority expect rates to remain unchanged. In that same survey, nearly all the respondents believed a rate hike was likely in the ... Read More

Interest Rates Federal Reserve

Why Housing Economists Get Excited About March

By Mark Fleming on March 11, 2016
With cherry blossoms in Washington D.C. and warm weather everywhere else just around the corner, it means the spring home-buying season is upon us, right? What better rite of homeownership passage than the Sunday open house on a beautiful spring day? It’s a popular way to spend a Sunday, even if you aren’t really serious about buying, and are just ... Read More

Millennials Homeownership Progress Index

Market Close To Achieving Its Potential

By Mark Fleming on February 18, 2016
For the month of January, First American’s proprietary Potential Home Sales model showed that the market potential for existing-home sales declined by 0.2 percent compared to December and decreased by 7.1 percent compared to a year ago. The Potential Home Sales model provides a gauge on whether existing-home sales are under or over their long-run ... Read More

Housing