Several reports indicate that the pandemic has triggered a mass flight from urban centers to the suburbs. It’s true that a move to the suburbs usually offers more space for telework and stay-at-home activities. But, as millennials have been aging into the key lifestyle decisions associated with a greater likelihood of purchasing a home (marriage ... Read More ›

First American Chief Economist Mark Fleming was interviewed on HousingWire’s Daily Download podcast last week and explained why growth in housing market potential may be more sustainable than many people realize. Read More ›

First American Deputy Chief Economist Odeta Kushi was interviewed on HousingWire’s Housing News podcast earlier this month and discussed her perspective on the forces powering the housing market’s V-shaped recovery and what may be in store for the rest of the year. Read More ›

Following the rapid contraction in U.S. economic activity as a result of the outbreak of COVID-19, the unemployment rate spiked to 14.4 percent in April and remained elevated in May (13.0 percent), setting the mark for the two highest recorded rates in the post-World War II era. Despite the federal foreclosure moratorium, there were fears that up ... Read More ›

First American Chief Economist Mark Fleming was interviewed on Yahoo! Finance earlier this month, discussing the impact of COVID-19 on the housing market and mortgage rates dropping below 3 percent for the first time ever. Read More ›

Examining critical lifestyle, societal and economic trends can provide a strong indication of the likelihood of owning a home and, in turn, potential homeownership demand. This is the fundamental concept behind our annual Homeownership Progress Index (HPRI). Understanding these forces and tracking how they change over time allows us to measure ... Read More ›