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.

Ability-to-Pay Rules Reduce Income-Related Fraud Risk

By FirstAm Editor on November 24, 2015
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. Overall, the index fell 2.5 percent in October as compared with September and decreased by 10.2 percent as compared with October 2014. Read More

Loan Application Defect Index

Expectations of a Rate Increase Dampens Housing in October

By Mark Fleming on November 19, 2015
For the month of October, First American’s proprietary Existing-Home Sales Capacity (EHS-C) model showed that the market capacity for existing-home sales decreased by 3.1 percent compared to September and decreased by 7.3 percent compared to a year ago. The EHS-C provides a gauge on whether existing-homes sales are under capacity or over capacity ... Read More

Housing

A Conversation about Homeownership

By Mark Fleming on November 13, 2015
Earlier this week, I had the good fortune to do a radio interview with WSVA Virginia on our newly released Homeownership Progress Index (HPRI). In the interview we talked about the importance of homeownership as the primary vehicle for wealth creation for middle-class Americans, discussed underlying economic, demographic, and lifestyle conditions ... Read More

In The News Millennials Homeownership Progress Index Income

Introducing the First American Homeownership Progress Index (HPRI)

By FirstAm Editor on November 3, 2015
Homeownership rates in the United States have been trending down since the Great Recession. It’s an important trend that significantly impacts the economy and quality of life. But, what are the key drivers of homeownership? How are those drivers changing over time? What can they tell us about the future of homeownership rates? Read More

Homeownership Progress Index

Loan Application Defect Index Falls 1.2 percent in September

By FirstAm Editor on October 28, 2015
Hard to believe that we’re releasing today the fourth iteration of the monthly First American Loan Application Defect Index, which estimates the frequency of defects in the information submitted in mortgage loan applications. Read More

Loan Application Defect Index

Existing-Home Sales Capacity Decreases 0.1 Percent In September

By Mark Fleming on October 22, 2015
Price appreciation fueled by low interest rates is driving market capacity for existing-home sales above actual existing-home sales First American’s proprietary Existing-Home Sales Capacity (EHS-C) model provides a gauge on whether existing-home sales are under capacity or over capacity based on current market fundamentals. For the month of ... Read More

Housing