Interview with Gary Acosta, NAHREP: Why the Housing Market May be Better Positioned than Many Believe Amid the Pandemic

By FirstAm Editor on April 29, 2020
First American Chief Economist Mark Fleming was interviewed by Gary Acosta, co-founder and CEO of the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals, last week and discussed his perspective on the state of the housing market amid the pandemic and why the housing market may be better positioned than many believe. Read More

Housing In The News

Has House Price Appreciation Reached a Tipping Point?

By Mark Fleming on April 27, 2020
As the coronavirus outbreak continues to affect the domestic and global economy, the housing market has shown that it is not immune to its impact. In March, the number of existing-home sales fell 8.5 percent relative to February, and the number of new listings continued to dwindle. While mortgage rates have fallen due to the current economic ... Read More

Interest Rates Real House Price Index Affordability

The Impact of the Credit Crunch on Housing Market Potential

By Mark Fleming on April 17, 2020
The coronavirus pandemic continues to take hold of the domestic and global economy. The housing market, although in a better position than it was at the onset of the last recession, will not be immune to the impact. Weekly unemployment claims have soared to record highs, which has already contributed to declining consumer confidence. Read More

Interest Rates Potential Home Sales tenure

Where Is It Cheaper to Own a Home Than to Rent?

By Odeta Kushi on April 10, 2020
As the coronavirus pandemic and its repercussions create challenges for all, it’s easy and important to focus on the day-to-day headlines and the information driving the news cycle at the moment. But, understanding long-term trends, even those that may be altered by the pandemic’s impacts, provides helpful insight into major decisions, like the ... Read More

Affordability Homeownership

Why the Housing Market May Weather Coronavirus Impact Better Than the Great Recession

By Mark Fleming on March 31, 2020
As we are all too aware, the coronavirus outbreak has taken hold of the domestic and global economy. The housing market is not immune to its impact but may be in a better position than many believe. Recent data shows that weekly unemployment claims soared to a record, which will, in turn, work to depress household incomes and consumer confidence. ... Read More

Interest Rates Real House Price Index Affordability

Policy and Fintech Innovations Protect Against Fraud Risk in the Uncertain Days Ahead

By Mark Fleming on March 30, 2020
A historical view of overall defect risk, as measured by our Loan Application Defect Index, shows a long-run downward trend since we began tracking defect risk in 2011, with a few exceptions. In February 2020, this long-run trend continued as overall defect risk reached its lowest level in index history. The Defect Index for purchase transactions ... Read More

Fraud Loan Application Defect Index