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.

Homeownership Remains Strongly Linked to Wealth-Building

By Odeta Kushi on November 5, 2020
Economists study homeownership and policymakers often emphasize it because homeownership is an effective way to build wealth, especially for low-income households. In fact, quantifying the wealth-building power of homeownership shows that home is not only where your heart is, but also where your wealth is. Read More

Housing Homeownership

Has the Affordability Boost From Falling Mortgage Rates Run its Course?

By Mark Fleming on October 27, 2020
Throughout 2020, falling mortgage rates have been the strongest influence on housing affordability trends, even helping fuel the housing market’s impressive recovery and resilience to the continuing economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic. Mortgage rates began declining in January 2020 and even dropped below 3 percent for the first time ... Read More

Interest Rates Real House Price Index Affordability

Why Housing Market Potential Remains at 13-Year High Point

By Mark Fleming on October 16, 2020
The housing market’s impressive “V-shaped” recovery has thus far shown significant resilience to the economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. Demographically driven millennial demand has continued unabated, low rates have fueled house-buying power, and historically low inventory has increased competition, leading to rising prices. Read More

Interest Rates Potential Home Sales Tenure

Myth or Reality? The Pandemic-Driven Acceleration to the Suburbs

By Odeta Kushi on October 15, 2020
Several reports indicate that the pandemic has triggered a mass flight from urban centers to the suburbs. It’s true that a move to the suburbs usually offers more space for telework and stay-at-home activities. But, as millennials have been aging into the key lifestyle decisions associated with a greater likelihood of purchasing a home (marriage ... Read More

Housing Homeownership

Interview with HousingWire: Growth in Housing Market Potential More Sustainable Than Many Believe

By FirstAm Editor on September 30, 2020
First American Chief Economist Mark Fleming was interviewed on HousingWire’s Daily Download podcast last week and explained why growth in housing market potential may be more sustainable than many people realize. Read More

Housing In The News Potential Home Sales

How Can Housing Affordability Improve During Periods of Economic Decline When House Prices Rise

By Mark Fleming on September 28, 2020
Affordability improved in July as two of the three key drivers of the Real House Price Index (RHPI), household income and mortgage rates, swung in favor of increased affordability, outpacing the rise in nominal house price appreciation. The average 30-year, fixed mortgage rate fell by 0.75 percentage points and household income increased 5.5 ... Read More

Interest Rates Real House Price Index Affordability