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.

The REconomy Podcast™: What is a Housing Recession and is the U.S. in One Now? (Part 2)

By FirstAm Editor on August 3, 2023
In this episode of The REconomy Podcast™ from First American, Chief Economist Mark Fleming and Deputy Chief Economist Odeta Kushi share their new housing recession model that provides a data-driven definition of a housing recession, look back at the history of housing recessions, and discuss whether or not we’re in a housing recession today. Read More›

Housing Interest Rates Affordability REconomy

Are we Flirting with a Double-Dip Housing Recession?

By Odeta Kushi on August 2, 2023
What defines a housing recession? While some rules of thumb exist, there has never been general agreement on a definition. If you look at today’s housing market, existing-home sales have struggled to gain any momentum during what is usually the housing market’s busiest season. New home sales, on the other hand, have exceeded all expectations. So, ... Read More›

Housing

The REconomy Podcast™: The Dynamics Re-Shaping Commercial Real Estate - The Business of Space

By FirstAm Editor on July 13, 2023
In this episode of The REconomy Podcast™ from First American, Chief Economist Mark Fleming and Senior Commercial Real Estate Economist Xander Snyder discuss the commercial real estate market, explaining the dynamics that are fundamentally re-shaping the ‘business of space.’ Read More›

Housing Interest Rates Affordability REconomy

The REconomy Podcast™: Why it Matters That Millennials Have Closed the Homeownership Gap

By FirstAm Editor on June 29, 2023
In this episode of the REconomy Podcast™ from First American, Chief Economist Mark Fleming and Deputy Chief Economist Odeta Kushi discuss the history of homeownership in the U.S., the impact of homeownership on wealth creation, and current demographic-driven trends influencing homeownership and the housing market. Read More›

Housing Interest Rates Affordability REconomy

The REconomy Podcast™: Why Homebuilders Have an Advantage in Today’s Housing Market

By FirstAm Editor on June 15, 2023
In this episode of the REconomy Podcast™ from First American, Chief Economist Mark Fleming and Deputy Chief Economist Odeta Kushi discuss the differences between the existing-home market and the new-home market, explaining why homebuilders have an advantage as they sell their homes in today’s environment. Read More›

Housing Interest Rates Affordability REconomy

The REconomy Podcast™: Where is Housing Affordability for First-Time Home Buyers Headed?

By FirstAm Editor on June 1, 2023
In this episode of the REconomy Podcast™ from First American, Chief Economist Mark Fleming and Deputy Chief Economist Odeta Kushi discuss the economic forces influencing housing affordability trends and what that means for first-time home buyers with Economist Ksenia Potapov. Read More›

Housing Interest Rates Affordability REconomy