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.

Incentives, Inventory, and the Tale of Two Housing Markets

By Odeta Kushi on June 20, 2025
Key Points: The existing-home share of total sales fell to the lowest level since 2005. The price of the median new home is lower than the price of a median existing home. While the new-home market has outperformed the existing-home market, headwinds may slow the momentum. Existing-home sales transactions continue to languish, around the 4 million ... Read More

Housing Affordability Mortgage Rates Existing-Home Sales

Under Pressure: Rising Homeownership Costs Squeeze Housing Affordability

By Sam Williamson on June 12, 2025
Key Points: The average monthly cost of owning a home in the U.S. soared to over $1,700 in 2023—a 17 percent increase from 2020—driven by across-the-board cost increases in mortgages, utilities, property taxes, and insurance. While mortgage holders face higher overall expenses, outright owners are seeing their housing budgets stretched more ... Read More

Affordable housing Housing Affordability

Affordability Improves Nationally Amid Divergent Regional House Price Trends

By Mark Fleming on May 28, 2025
Key Points: Affordability improved in March, aided by falling mortgage rates, slower house price growth, and rising household income. National house price growth remains modestly positive, but prices declined in 13 of the top 50 markets year over year, while other markets posted strong gains. Market divergence in house price trends is below ... Read More

Housing Real House Price Index Affordability Mortgage Rates

Peak Homebody Era is Pummeling the Housing Market

By Odeta Kushi on May 23, 2025
Key Points: There is a strong relationship between the median length of time that people stay in their home, known as tenure, and sales activity. Historically, the median tenure length in the U.S. has been six years, but today it’s reached a historic high of nearly nine years. The drivers behind the rise in tenure length are multi-faceted but ... Read More

Housing Affordability Mortgage Rates Existing-Home Sales

Southern Discomfort: Weather and Economic Headwinds Drive Home Insurance Premiums Through the Roof

By Sam Williamson on May 7, 2025
Key Points: Homeowners insurance premiums in the U.S. increased by 21 percent between 2021 and 2023, driven by severe weather-related events, rising construction costs, and higher claim payouts. The South, particularly coastal cities, faced the steepest hikes, with eight of the 10 metros with the fastest-growing premiums located in the region. ... Read More

Affordable housing Housing Affordability

Affordability Improves Amid Year-Long Slide in National House Price Appreciation

By Mark Fleming on April 30, 2025
Key Points: Rising inventory and affordability challenges are cooling price appreciation nationally. House prices have dipped below their peaks in 47 of the top 50 markets. Despite price declines, significant equity buffers remain for those that purchased over the boom period. In February 2025, home buyers received some welcome news as mortgage ... Read More

Housing Real House Price Index Affordability Mortgage Rates