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.

Do Hurricanes Influence Mortgage Fraud Risk?

By Mark Fleming on September 26, 2018
Following seven straight months of declining defect risk, the Loan Application Defect Index for purchase transactions remained the same in August compared with the month before. Year over year, the Defect Index for purchase transactions decreased 13.2 percent as compared to August 2017. The Defect Index for refinance transactions is the same as ... Read More

Fraud Loan Application Defect Index

How Will Rising Mortgage Rates Impact Housing Affordability in 2019?

By Mark Fleming on September 24, 2018
The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting is just around the corner and a rate hike is almost certain, according to experts, which will trigger conversations about rising mortgage rates across the housing industry. While changes to the federal funds rate won’t necessarily spur further increases in mortgage rates, mortgage rates are expected ... Read More

Interest Rates Real House Price Index Affordability

Interview on CNBC: Discussing the housing market’s potential shift toward a buyer’s market

By FirstAm Editor on September 21, 2018
First American Chief Economist Mark Fleming was interviewed on CNBC earlier this week and discussed the housing market’s potential shift toward a buyer’s market and the challenges facing the market: affordability and interest rates. Read More

Housing In The News Interest Rates Millennials Affordability

How Hurricane Florence May Impact the Housing Market

By Mark Fleming on September 20, 2018
Yesterday’s Census Bureau report for August is an indication of strength for the housing market. While the number of permits issued, which can signal how much construction is in the pipeline, decreased by 5.5 percent, home building rose in August as housing starts increased 9.4 percent compared with a year ago. The growth in housing starts is ... Read More

Housing Housing Starts Homeownership

How Will a Potential September Rate Hike Impact Existing-Home Sales?

By Mark Fleming on September 18, 2018
In August, the housing market continued to underperform its potential. Actual existing-home sales are 6.5 percent below the market’s potential, according to our Potential Home Sales model. That means the market has the potential to support more than 400,000 more home sales at a seasonally adjusted annualized rate (SAAR). Severe supply shortages ... Read More

Does Rising Housing Inventory Signal the Beginning of a Buyer’s Market?

By Mark Fleming on September 17, 2018
Last month, we noted in our latest Real House Price Index (RHPI) report that house price appreciation may be slowing. According to our RHPI, 21 cities experienced a monthly decline in their real, consumer house-buying power-adjusted price level. One reason for the price appreciation slowdown is that 21 of the 50 largest cities in the U.S. ... Read More

Interest Rates Mortgages Real House Price Index Affordability Housing supply