Economic Center Blog
Welcome to the First American Economic Center Blog, a top source for the latest housing market research and analysis driven by Chief Economist Mark Fleming.

Interview on FOXBusiness: Discussing the outlook for the U.S. economy, Federal Reserve policy and the state of the job market

By FirstAm Editor on September 6, 2019
First American Chief Economist Mark Fleming was interviewed on FOXBusiness earlier this week and discussed the U.S. economy, Federal Reserve policy and the state of the job market. Read More›

In The News Interest Rates Federal Reserve

Interviews on CNBC and Nightly Business Report: Discussing the Refinance Boom and Tailwinds Boosting the Housing Market

By FirstAm Editor on September 3, 2019
First American Chief Economist Mark Fleming was interviewed on CNBC and Deputy Chief Economist Odeta Kushi was interviewed on Nightly Business Report last week, where they discussed the refinance boom driven by low mortgage rates and the tailwinds boosting the housing market. Read More›

Housing In The News Interest Rates Federal Reserve Affordability

Interviews on CNBC and Bloomberg TV: Discussing the Impact of Historically Low Rates and the Outlook for the Housing Market and the Economy

By FirstAm Editor on August 23, 2019
First American Chief Economist Mark Fleming was interviewed on CNBC and Deputy Chief Economist Odeta Kushi on Bloomberg TV earlier this week and discussed the impact of historically low rates on the housing market, and what the Fed minutes indicate about the direction of rate policy and the economy. Read More›

Housing In The News Interest Rates Federal Reserve Affordability

What Does Increasing Tenure Length Mean for the Housing Market?

By Mark Fleming on August 20, 2019
The housing market essentially reached its potential in July 2019, as actual existing-home sales were 0.05 percent above the market’s potential. Existing-home sales in 2019 are running at a pace similar to 2015, even though rates have fallen and household income has increased this year. Housing market potential benefitted from a 10.6 percent ... Read More›

Interest Rates Federal Reserve Homeownership Potential Home Sales

Why Lower Mortgage Rates Have Not Closed the Housing Market Performance Gap

By Mark Fleming on July 19, 2019
The housing market underperformed its potential in June 2019, as actual existing-home sales were 1.5 percent below the market’s potential. The market potential for existing-home sales increased 1.1 percent compared with May, according to our Potential Home Sales model. Read More›

Interest Rates Federal Reserve Homeownership Potential Home Sales

Why the Housing Market has Entered an Unprecedented Homebody Era

By Mark Fleming on June 20, 2019
The housing market outperformed its potential in May 2019. Actual existing-home sales are 0.2 percent above the market’s current potential, according to our Potential Home Sales model. Even as mortgage rates have decreased, and household income has increased, the market is underperforming compared to it’s potential from a year ago. What are the ... Read More›

Interest Rates Federal Reserve Homeownership Potential Home Sales