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.

Two Trends Boost Home-Buyer Demand As Spring Home-Buying Season Begins

By Mark Fleming on April 18, 2019
While the housing market continued to underperform its potential in March 2019, the green shoots of spring home buying have emerged. Actual existing-home sales are 2.3 percent below the market’s potential, narrowing the gap from last month, according to our Potential Home Sales model. That means the housing market has the potential to support ... Read More

Interest Rates Federal Reserve Homeownership Potential Home Sales

How Will Low Mortgage Rates Impact Housing Affordability This Spring?

By Odeta Kushi on April 17, 2019
Last year, the over-arching trend in the housing market was the impact of rising rates on affordability. Mortgage rates had been increasing since 2017 and that trend continued in 2018, especially in the second half of the year. Rates were rising largely due to a strengthening economy – the Fed raises rates in a strong economy to encourage ... Read More

Interest Rates Real House Price Index Federal Reserve

Interview on Bloomberg: Discussing the Macro-Economic Trends Influencing the Housing Market

By FirstAm Editor on April 11, 2019
First American Deputy Chief Economist Odeta Kushi was interviewed on Bloomberg earlier this month, providing her thoughts on macro-economic trends influencing home buyers and the housing market, including the job market and wage growth. Read More

In The News Interest Rates Federal Reserve

Why the Yield Curve May Have Fooled Some Experts

By Mark Fleming on April 5, 2019
April Fools’ may be over, but that hasn’t dampened recession fears from generating headlines. Broadly speaking, the U.S. economy is performing well. Wages are increasing and we’re near full employment. So, why are some experts raising recession concerns? Read More

Interest Rates Federal Reserve

What Drives Increases in Income-Related Loan Application Defects?

By Mark Fleming on March 29, 2019
Throughout much of 2018, home prices were high, demand was rising and bidding wars were the new normal. As a result of the competitive market, buyers were under more pressure to seek qualification for larger loans. Fraud can come in many forms, but income falsification remains one of the most likely misrepresentations. By December 2018, ... Read More

Fraud Loan Application Defect Index

Interview on CNBC: Discussing the Impact of Declining Mortgage Rates and Limited Supply on the Housing Market

By FirstAm Editor on March 27, 2019
First American Chief Economist Mark Fleming was interviewed on CNBC on Tuesday and discussed how the decline in mortgage rates over the last few months and continued tight housing supply are likely to impact the housing market. Read More

Housing New Home Buying In The News Interest Rates Affordability