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.

Will Millennials Migrate Away from Coastal Markets for Homeownership in 2019?

By Odeta Kushi on January 7, 2019
As we enter 2019 and the bulk of the millennial generation ages into their prime home-buying years, is homeownership an attainable New Year’s resolution for millennials? Read More

Millennials Education Homeownership Progress Index Homeownership

Interview on CNBC: Discussing the 2019 housing market outlook

By FirstAm Editor on January 4, 2019
First American Chief Economist Mark Fleming was interviewed on CNBC earlier this week and shared his perspective on today’s housing market and the outlook for 2019. Read More

Housing In The News Interest Rates Millennials Affordability

Defect Risk Jumps Nationally, Partially Influenced by Rising Defect Risk in California Wildfire Areas

By Mark Fleming on December 26, 2018
In November, the Loan Application Defect Index for purchase transactions continued its string of month-over-month increases, rising for the third month in a row. Yet, year over year, the Defect Index for purchase transactions remains 7.7 percent below its level in November 2017. The Defect Index for refinance transactions also increased 2.8 ... Read More

Fraud Loan Application Defect Index

How Does a Strong Economy Slow the Housing Market?

By Mark Fleming on December 21, 2018
For the second consecutive month, all three key drivers of the Real House Price Index (RHPI), household income, mortgage rates, and the unadjusted house price index, increased compared with a year ago. The 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage and the unadjusted house price index increased by 0.9 percentage points and 7.3 percent respectively. Even though ... Read More

Interest Rates Real House Price Index Affordability

Will Homebuilders Deliver the Gift of More Housing Supply this Year?

By Mark Fleming on December 19, 2018
Yesterday, the Census Bureau released its Residential Construction report for November. Housing completions decreased 3.9 percent compared with last November and continue to fall short of the number of new housing units necessary to keep pace with household formation. Housing starts also decreased 3.6 percent in November compared with a year ago. ... Read More

Housing Housing Starts Homeownership

What Do Previous Rising Mortgage Rate Eras Tell Us About Today's Housing Market?

By Mark Fleming on December 17, 2018
In November, the housing market underperformed its potential by 7.4 percent, marking 40 straight months the market remained below its potential, according to our Potential Homes Sales Model. Month over month, the gap between actual existing-home sales and the market potential for home sales narrowed by 1.2 percent, but the housing market still has ... Read More

Interest Rates Federal Reserve Homeownership Potential Home Sales