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.

Why Owning a Home was Cheaper than Renting in All 50 Top U.S. Markets

By Odeta Kushi on August 16, 2021
When potential first-time home buyers consider making the transition to homeownership, they ask themselves whether it makes more financial sense to keep renting, or to buy. The pandemic has undoubtedly impacted that calculation. Annual house price appreciation skyrocketed during the pandemic, reaching an average of 17.5 percent annual growth in ... Read More

Affordability Homeownership Renter Affordability

Affordability Declined for Third Month in a Row

By Mark Fleming on July 27, 2021
Housing affordability declined on a year-over-year basis for the third month in a row in May, following a two-year streak of rising affordability. The decline in May occurred even as two of the three key drivers of the Real House Price Index (RHPI), household income and mortgage rates, swung in favor of greater affordability relative to one year ... Read More

Interest Rates Real House Price Index Affordability

Housing Supply Limiting Market Potential

By Mark Fleming on July 16, 2021
Housing market potential strengthened modestly in June, increasing 0.2 percent compared with May, according to our Potential Home Sales Model. Potential home sales are nearly 17 percent higher than the pandemic-driven decline last June. Read More

Interest Rates Homeownership Potential Home Sales

Pandemic Accelerated 'Roaring 20s' of Millennial Homeownership Demand

By Odeta Kushi on June 29, 2021
National Homeownership Month takes on a new meaning this year, as the pandemic has redefined the role of a home. A home is not just a dwelling or even just a vehicle for wealth creation, but also an office, a classroom, a daycare and even a gym. A home, now more than ever, has become a top priority for American households. The broadening role of ... Read More

Housing Millennials Homeownership Progress Index Homeownership

Is it a Good Time to Buy a Home?

By Mark Fleming on June 28, 2021
In today’s housing market, the power is very clearly in the hands of the seller. In April, First American Data & Analytics’ nominal house price index increased 16.2 percent year over year, the fastest pace since 2005. Rapid appreciation is driving declines in affordability, despite rising incomes and lower mortgage rates. Nationally, according ... Read More

Interest Rates Real House Price Index Affordability

Why Homebodies Versus Pandemic-Fueled Demand Will Determine the Outlook for Housing Market Potential

By Mark Fleming on June 22, 2021
Housing market potential strengthened again last month, according to our Potential Home Sales Model, despite significant supply headwinds. In May, housing market potential increased 0.8 percent compared with April, and is now nearly 23 percent higher than the pandemic-driven decline last May. Relative to two years ago, housing market potential is ... Read More

Interest Rates Homeownership Potential Home Sales