Key Points: In May and June, four of the eight indicators in our model flashed housing recession. While July data is still trickling in, it’s looking like we may narrowly avoid a housing recession. The relationship between housing and economic recessions is complicated and, contrary to what many believe, housing does not always lead economic ... Read More ›

Since real estate is local, whether it makes more financial sense to continue renting or to buy depends on where one lives. However, typical rent-versus-own calculations fail to include the main financial benefit of owning, which is the accumulation of equity. While rare, house price declines can make it more costly to own a home, but after ... Read More ›

Based on our analysis last month, a wave of foreclosures similar to levels seen during the Great Recession is unlikely to occur despite the continuing economic hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Homeowners are in a much better position to weather this crisis, in part because household equity is near a three-decade high, negating one of the ... Read More ›

Millennials are already the most educated generational cohort in U.S. history, which bodes well for future homeownership demand. But they are also aging into key lifestyle decisions, like marriage and having children, associated with a greater likelihood of purchasing a home. According to our analysis of anonymized household data, millennials ... Read More ›