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.

Interviews on CNBC: Discussing rising mortgage rates, house price appreciation, millennial demand and lack of new home construction

By FirstAm Editor on August 24, 2018
First American Chief Economist Mark Fleming was interviewed on CNBC earlier today as well as last Friday, August 17 and discussed how rising mortgage rates, house price appreciation, millennial demand and a lack of new homes may be squeezing affordability. Read More

New Home Buying In The News Interest Rates Millennials Affordability Housing Starts

Where Can Renters Find Affordable Homes to Buy?

By Odeta Kushi on August 20, 2018
Limited housing supply and growing millennial demand continue to drive home prices higher across the country. Even when adjusted for income growth and mortgage rates, prices are 11.4 percent higher than a year ago, according to our Real House Price Index. Unless income growth accelerates and begins to outpace house price appreciation, or housing ... Read More

Housing Affordability Homeownership

Why Renter House-Buying Power is the Key to Understanding Housing Affordability

By Mark Fleming on August 6, 2018
With unadjusted house prices recently eclipsing their 2006 housing boom peak, housing affordability is a concern in the industry and for potential home buyers. Existing home owners, by definition, can afford one so, when we are speaking about housing affordability, it is really a conversation about first-time home buyers. Read More

Housing First-Time Homebuyer Affordability Homeownership

Interview on CNBC: Explaining the Shortage of Supply in the Housing Market and Demographic Wave of Demand

By FirstAm Editor on August 1, 2018
First American Chief Economist Mark Fleming was interviewed yesterday on CNBC and discussed housing supply and demand, affordability and challenges facing new home builders. Read More

Housing In The News Interest Rates Millennials Affordability

The Top Five Cities for Consumer House-Buying Power

By Mark Fleming on July 30, 2018
The three key drivers of the Real House Price Index (RHPI) are household income levels, the 30-year, fixed mortgage rate, and the unadjusted house price index. Changes to household income levels and the 30-year, fixed mortgage rate are considered together as consumer house-buying power. When household income rises and/or the mortgage rate falls, ... Read More

Real House Price Index Affordability

House Prices Continue to Rise, but House-Buying Power Still Near Historic Highs

By Mark Fleming on June 25, 2018
The Real House Price Index (RHPI) views house prices in relation to consumer house-buying power, incorporating household income, mortgage rates, and an unadjusted house price index. When incomes rise, consumer house-buying power increases. When mortgage rates or house prices rise, consumer house-buying power declines. Read More

Real House Price Index Affordability