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.

How 2019 Became the Year of Declining Fraud Risk

By Mark Fleming on September 26, 2019
Declining for the fifth consecutive month, the Loan Application Defect Index for purchase transactions continued its downward trend, falling 3.8 percent in August compared with July. The Defect Index for refinance transactions also fell, declining 4.3 percent compared with the previous month. The overall Defect Index, which includes both purchase ... Read More

Fraud Loan Application Defect Index

Interview on Nightly Business Report: Discussing Surge in Potential Housing Supply

By FirstAm Editor on September 24, 2019
First American Deputy Chief Economist Odeta Kushi was interviewed on Nightly Business Report last week and discussed the dramatic jump in housing starts to a 12-year high, signaling the potential for some housing supply relief in the near future. Read More

Housing In The News Interest Rates Housing Starts

How Did Affordability Change During the Spring Home-Buying Season?

By Mark Fleming on September 23, 2019
School bells ringing don’t just mark the beginning of a new school year, but for those in housing, they also signal the end of the typical home-buying season, which begins in March. As the school year begins, the housing market is finishing the spring home-buying season with strong marks for affordability. Indeed, two of the three key drivers of ... Read More

Interest Rates Real House Price Index Affordability

How Can Existing-Home Sales Exceed Market Potential?

By Mark Fleming on September 18, 2019
The housing market exceeded its potential in August 2019, as actual existing-home sales were 0.8 percent above the market’s potential. Housing market potential increased relative to last month, but declined 1.9 percent compared with August of last year. While down compared with a year ago, existing-home sales have slightly outperformed market ... Read More

Interest Rates Potential Home Sales Tenure

What is the Neutral Rate of Interest and How Does it Influence the Federal Reserve?

By Mark Fleming on September 17, 2019
Many people understand the “natural rate of unemployment,” and if you don’t, you can probably guess what it is – the rate of unemployment when the labor market reaches equilibrium. What many people don’t know is that a similar concept exists in monetary policy. Read More

Interest Rates Federal Reserve

Does Education Really Lead to Greater Earning Power?

By Odeta Kushi on September 13, 2019
Whether it’s parents shuttling their children off to elementary school or students starting their final year of college, back-to-school season is here. We generally spend a minimum of 12 years as a student, more if you pursue a college degree. Along the way, we’re told that education is critical to your ability to earn a decent living. Read More

Millennials Education Homeownership