Tightening Supply Squeezes Market Potential

By Mark Fleming on December 19, 2017
First American’s proprietary Potential Home Sales model examines November 2017 data and includes analysis from First American Chief Economist Mark Fleming on how the real estate market is performing versus its potential. Read More

Housing Interest Rates

Best Cities to Maximize Borrowing Power for First-Time Home Buyers

By Mark Fleming on December 11, 2017
It’s a near certainty that the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) will raise the short-term Federal Funds rate this week. The CME group estimates the probability of a 25 basis-point increase at 90.2 percent. Some may fret about how this will impact the housing market, but they are missing the point on mortgage rates and affordability for ... Read More

Housing Interest Rates Federal Reserve Affordability

What's Keeping the Market Below Potential?

By Mark Fleming on November 20, 2017
First American’s proprietary Potential Home Sales model examines October 2017 data and includes analysis from First American Chief Economist Mark Fleming on how the real estate market is performing versus its potential. Read More

Housing Interest Rates

Many Experts Miss the Point on Mortgage Rates and Affordability for First-Time Home Buyers

By Mark Fleming on November 6, 2017
Last week, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) met for the second to last time this year. As most prognosticators expected, the FOMC decided to leave the short-term Federal Funds rate unchanged. While good news for those with credit card debt, car loans and adjustable rate mortgages, the impact of FOMC inaction, or action for that matter, is ... Read More

Housing Interest Rates Federal Reserve Affordability

Hesitant Homeowners and Hurricanes Hit Housing Market

By Mark Fleming on October 20, 2017
First American’s proprietary Potential Home Sales model examines September 2017 data and includes analysis from First American Chief Economist Mark Fleming on how the real estate market is performing versus its potential. Read More

Housing Interest Rates

Will Quantitative Un-Easing Make Housing Unaffordable?

By Mark Fleming on September 20, 2017
This month, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) will consider again whether to increase the benchmark Federal Funds Rate for a third time this year. As I stated when the FOMC was contemplating a rate increase earlier this year, increasing the short-term Federal Funds rate has little impact on longer term rates like the 30-year, fixed-rate ... Read More

Housing Interest Rates Federal Reserve