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.

What is Elevating Identity- and Collateral-Based Fraud Risk?

By FirstAm Editor on September 29, 2017
We’ve posted the August First American Loan Application Defect Index, which estimates the frequency of defects, fraudulence and misrepresentation in the information submitted in mortgage loan applications. The Defect Index remained the same in August 2017 as compared with the previous month, and increased 20.0 percent as compared to August 2016. ... Read More

Loan Application Defect Index

Supply Squeeze Tightens Grip on Affordability in July

By FirstAm Editor on September 26, 2017
First American’s proprietary Real House Price Index (RHPI) looks at July 2017 data and includes analysis from First American Chief Economist Mark Fleming on the supply constraints impacting the housing market. Read More

Interest Rates Real House Price Index Income Affordability

Will Quantitative Un-Easing Make Housing Unaffordable?

By Mark Fleming on September 20, 2017
This month, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) will consider again whether to increase the benchmark Federal Funds Rate for a third time this year. As I stated when the FOMC was contemplating a rate increase earlier this year, increasing the short-term Federal Funds rate has little impact on longer term rates like the 30-year, fixed-rate ... Read More

Housing Interest Rates Federal Reserve

How Will Hurricanes Harvey and Irma Impact Housing Market Potential?

By Mark Fleming on September 19, 2017
First American’s proprietary Potential Home Sales model examines August 2017 data and includes analysis from First American Chief Economist Mark Fleming on how the real estate market is performing versus its potential. Read More

Housing Interest Rates

We Crowd-Sourced the Reason for Housing Supply Shortages

By Mark Fleming on September 15, 2017
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again – the shortage of houses on the market is making it difficult for Americans to find homes to buy, which is especially concerning for the Millennial first-time home buyer. There are many possible reasons for the housing supply shortage, ranging from fear of paying a higher mortgage rate to insufficient ... Read More

Housing Real Estate Sentiment Index

Outlook for Real Estate Falls in Third Quarter Amid Rate Uncertainty

By FirstAm Editor on September 12, 2017
We invite you to browse the third quarter 2017 First American Real Estate Sentiment Index, which is based on a quarterly survey of independent title agents and other real estate professionals, providing a unique gauge on the real estate market using the crowd-sourced wisdom and expertise of real estate experts. Read More

Real Estate Sentiment Index