We’ve posted the fourth quarter 2015 First American Real Estate Sentiment Index, which measures title agent sentiment on a variety of key market metrics and industry issues. It’s based on a quarterly survey of title agents that do business with First American. More than 3,000 title agents from 50 states have participated in the first two editions of the quarterly survey. The fourth quarter survey was conducted in October 2015, and included a section measuring title agent sentiment on homeownership demand.

Title agents overwhelmingly agree that sale transactions will increase for first time homebuyers and “move-up homebuyers” in the next year. Title agent sentiment on sales varies state-by-state for luxury homebuyers and second/vacation homebuyers, however, sentiment remains positive on a national scale. 

“Title agents view first-time homebuyers as most impacted by a potential interest rate hike, while remaining optimistic regarding the level of sale transactions for those first-time homebuyers in the next 12 months,” said First American Chief Economist Mark Fleming. “Expectations for future homeownership demand remain positive, despite changing market conditions.”

For more information, including title agent sentiment on price and transaction volume growth by property type nationally and at the state level, please visit the Real Estate Sentiment Index.