Where is the Housing Market Cooling the Most?

By Mark Fleming on January 28, 2019
Throughout 2018, consistent growth among three driving forces – mortgage rates, household income, and unadjusted house prices – defined the housing market. These three factors are also the core metrics that comprise the Real House Price Index (RHPI). November 2018 was no exception, as household income, mortgage rates, and the unadjusted house ... Read More

Interest Rates Real House Price Index Affordability

How Does a Strong Economy Slow the Housing Market?

By Mark Fleming on December 21, 2018
For the second consecutive month, all three key drivers of the Real House Price Index (RHPI), household income, mortgage rates, and the unadjusted house price index, increased compared with a year ago. The 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage and the unadjusted house price index increased by 0.9 percentage points and 7.3 percent respectively. Even though ... Read More

Interest Rates Real House Price Index Affordability

Why is Real House Price Appreciation Accelerating?

By Mark Fleming on November 26, 2018
In September, all three of the key drivers of the Real House Price Index (RHPI), household income, mortgage rates, and an unadjusted house price index, increased compared with a year ago. When household income rises, consumer house-buying power increases. When mortgage rates and house prices increase, consumer house-buying power decreases. The ... Read More

Interest Rates Real House Price Index Affordability

How Wage Growth Reduced the Sting of Rising Rates on Affordability

By Mark Fleming on October 29, 2018
Understanding the dynamics that influence consumer house-buying power, how much home one can buy based on changes in income and interest rates, provides helpful perspective on the housing market. When incomes rise, consumer house-buying power increases. When mortgage rates or nominal house prices rise, consumer house-buying power declines. Our ... Read More

Interest Rates Real House Price Index Affordability

Why ARMs Today are Different

By Odeta Kushi on October 10, 2018
Adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs), a symbol of the housing market crash, are making a comeback, but their resurgence is not an indicator of a potential negative turn in the housing market. An ARM is a mortgage that typically has a 30-year repayment term, but the interest rate is fixed for the first few years of the loan. Once the fixed period ends, ... Read More

Interest Rates Real House Price Index Affordability

How Will Rising Mortgage Rates Impact Housing Affordability in 2019?

By Mark Fleming on September 24, 2018
The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting is just around the corner and a rate hike is almost certain, according to experts, which will trigger conversations about rising mortgage rates across the housing industry. While changes to the federal funds rate won’t necessarily spur further increases in mortgage rates, mortgage rates are expected ... Read More

Interest Rates Real House Price Index Affordability