This week, Representative Loretta Sanchez (D-Ca) spoke on the floor of the US House of Representatives about the leadership forum, “Achieving the American Dream,” that was held on the Hill in late October. Her short speech highlighted the importance of homeownership as a source of wealth creation for middle-class Americans and its role in ... Read More ›

“One of these things is not like the other,” is an adage we learn as children to teach us how to identify outliers. This phrase maintains its relevance as adults, especially in the age of “big” data. This week’s release of the First American Real Estate Sentiment Index (RESI) is one such example of its use. Read More ›

Last week, I posted an analysis of the GSE Conforming loan limit and my expectation for how it might change in 2016. I based the analysis on my interpretation of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 (HERA). Specifically, Section 1124 of the law, which states, “If the change in the house price index during the most recent 12-month or 4 ... Read More ›

For the month of October, First American’s proprietary Existing-Home Sales Capacity (EHS-C) model showed that the market capacity for existing-home sales decreased by 3.1 percent compared to September and decreased by 7.3 percent compared to a year ago. The EHS-C provides a gauge on whether existing-homes sales are under capacity or over capacity ... Read More ›

Earlier this week, I had the good fortune to do a radio interview with WSVA Virginia on our newly released Homeownership Progress Index (HPRI). In the interview we talked about the importance of homeownership as the primary vehicle for wealth creation for middle-class Americans, discussed underlying economic, demographic, and lifestyle conditions ... Read More ›

Price appreciation fueled by low interest rates is driving market capacity for existing-home sales above actual existing-home sales First American’s proprietary Existing-Home Sales Capacity (EHS-C) model provides a gauge on whether existing-home sales are under capacity or over capacity based on current market fundamentals. For the month of ... Read More ›