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.

Affordability Falls to its Lowest Level Since 2008

By Mark Fleming on December 27, 2021
Affordability sank to its lowest level since 2008 in October, as two of the three key drivers of the Real House Price Index (RHPI) swung in favor of reduced affordability relative to one year ago. Higher mortgage rates and record year-over-year nominal house price growth triggered a nearly 20 percent jump in the RHPI (rising RHPI values indicate ... Read More

Interest Rates Real House Price Index Affordability

Why House Prices Still Have Room to Run

By Mark Fleming on November 30, 2021
According to the Real House Price Index (RHPI), which measures housing affordability in the context of changes in consumer house-buying power, affordability in September declined to its lowest level since 2008. Two of the three components of consumer house-buying power swung toward declining affordability. Record nominal house price growth and ... Read More

Interest Rates Real House Price Index Affordability

How Will Rising Mortgage Rates Impact House-Buying Power?

By Mark Fleming on October 26, 2021
In August, year-over-year nominal house price appreciation reached 20.7 percent, the third consecutive month it has set a new record. According to our Real House Price Index (RHPI), which measures housing affordability in the context of changes in consumer house-buying power, incorporating changes in household income, mortgage rates and nominal ... Read More

Interest Rates Real House Price Index Affordability

Homes More Affordable Today Than During Previous Housing Peak in Each of the Top 50 Markets

By Mark Fleming on September 28, 2021
In July, housing affordability continued its decline as year-over-year nominal house price appreciation reached a record 20 percent, vastly outpacing the increase in house-buying power compared with a year ago. The Real House Price Index (RHPI) measures affordability in the context of changes in consumer house-buying power, incorporating changes ... Read More

Interest Rates Real House Price Index Affordability

Today's House Prices Are Over 40 Percent More Affordable Than The Housing Boom Peak

By Mark Fleming on August 30, 2021
The Real House Price Index (RHPI) measures affordability in the context of changes in consumer house-buying power, incorporating fluctuations in household income, mortgage rates and nominal house prices. In June, housing affordability declined on a year-over-year basis for the fourth month in a row, following two years of increasing affordability. ... Read More

Interest Rates Real House Price Index Affordability

Affordability Declined for Third Month in a Row

By Mark Fleming on July 27, 2021
Housing affordability declined on a year-over-year basis for the third month in a row in May, following a two-year streak of rising affordability. The decline in May occurred even as two of the three key drivers of the Real House Price Index (RHPI), household income and mortgage rates, swung in favor of greater affordability relative to one year ... Read More

Interest Rates Real House Price Index Affordability