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.

Interview on CNBC: Discussing the housing market’s potential shift toward a buyer’s market

By FirstAm Editor on September 21, 2018
First American Chief Economist Mark Fleming was interviewed on CNBC earlier this week and discussed the housing market’s potential shift toward a buyer’s market and the challenges facing the market: affordability and interest rates. Read More

Housing In The News Interest Rates Millennials Affordability

Does Rising Housing Inventory Signal the Beginning of a Buyer’s Market?

By Mark Fleming on September 17, 2018
Last month, we noted in our latest Real House Price Index (RHPI) report that house price appreciation may be slowing. According to our RHPI, 21 cities experienced a monthly decline in their real, consumer house-buying power-adjusted price level. One reason for the price appreciation slowdown is that 21 of the 50 largest cities in the U.S. ... Read More

Interest Rates Mortgages Real House Price Index Affordability Housing supply

Has House Price Appreciation Reached a Tipping Point?

By Mark Fleming on August 27, 2018
House price appreciation remains on a tear, as unadjusted home prices nationwide increased by 7.3 percent compared with a year ago and are now 1.3 percent above the housing boom peak in 2006, according to DataTree by First American. The U.S. economy continues to perform well, as the current economic expansion reaches record levels, prompting some ... Read More

Real House Price Index Affordability

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