What’s Behind the December Dip in Housing Affordability?

By FirstAm Editor on February 27, 2017
First American’s proprietary Real House Price Index (RHPI) looks at December 2016 data and includes analysis from First American Chief Economist Mark Fleming on the decline in affordability as consumer house-buying power dipped due to rising rates. Read More

Interest Rates Real House Price Index Income Affordability

Market Composition Shift Accelerating Loan Application Defect Risk?

By FirstAm Editor on February 24, 2017
We’ve posted the January 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 increased 5.8 percent in January 2017 as compared with the previous month, and decreased 3.9 percent as compared to January ... Read More

Loan Application Defect Index

Market Potential Continues Slide in January as Higher Rates Reduce Supply

By Mark Fleming on February 21, 2017
First American Chief Economist Mark Fleming shares his proprietary Potential Home Sales model with analysis of housing market trends in January 2017. Read More

Housing Interest Rates

Money Matters Radio Interview – Does Marriage Matter to Homeownership?

By FirstAm Editor on February 17, 2017
First American Chief Economist Mark Fleming is interviewed on Money Matters Radio in Boston and shares his perspective on the connection between marriage, declining homeownership rates, and Millennial home buying. Read More

In The News Millennials

Is Love the Answer to Declining Homeownership?

By Mark Fleming on February 13, 2017
For Valentine’s Day, we pondered the question, could more love lead to an increase in homeownership? This is a serious question because marriage and homeownership, perhaps the two most enduring institutions of our society, have shaped the economic fortunes of many Americans. Read More

Millennials Education Homeownership Progress Index

Just in Time for the Big Game: The Housing Benefit of Football Fandom

By Mark Fleming on January 31, 2017
We all love our football, no more so than this weekend. But, it’s not just about cheering on your favorite team, guiltlessly eating wings, nachos or your favorite in-game football snack food, and gathering around that ever increasingly massive television (after all, it’s the second best time of the year to buy a television according to Consumer ... Read More

Affordability