A North-South Divide Emerges in Defect, Fraud and Misrepresentation Risk

By FirstAm Editor on November 30, 2016
We’ve posted the October 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 decreased 1.4 percent in October as compared with September and decreased by 13.9 percent as compared to October 2015. The ... Read More

Loan Application Defect Index

Wage Growth Contributes to Increased Affordability in Most Major Markets

By FirstAm Editor on November 28, 2016
First American’s proprietary Real House Price Index (RHPI) looks at September 2016 data and includes analysis from First American Chief Economist Mark Fleming that includes comments on last week’s conforming loan limit increase. Read More

Interest Rates Real House Price Index Income Affordability

CNBC Interview: Discussing the impact of the election on interest rates, future of technology in real estate finance

By FirstAm Editor on November 22, 2016
First American Chief Economist Mark Fleming was interviewed yesterday on CNBC regarding the surge in interest rates following the U.S. presidential election and what it means for the housing market in the year ahead. Read More

In The News Interest Rates Millennials

Lack of Affordable Inventory Keeps Market Below Potential

By Mark Fleming on November 21, 2016
October 2016 Potential Home Sales Read More

Housing

Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Homeownership

By Mark Fleming on November 18, 2016
It’s that time of year again. The time when we come together and celebrate the American tradition of giving thanks for the many blessings in our lives. Often we give thanks for having the basic necessities of life: food, health, water and shelter. While all of these things are vital to human existence, as a housing economist, I naturally tend to ... Read More

Millennials Education Homeownership Progress Index

Seeking Certainty Again

By Mark Fleming on November 9, 2016
Our analysis in recent months has touched on the influence of uncertainty on our housing market. In particular, two significant events have influenced housing markets this past year. First, the Brexit benefit to the housing market triggered by the vote in the United Kingdom to leave the European Union this past summer. Second, and more recently, ... Read More

Real Estate Sentiment Index