From Our Economists
How You Can Protect Your Home From Climate Change
Originally published to Forbes on July 24, 2023. Climate change is not a distant threat, but a present danger that is already wreaking havoc on our
September Fed Rate Hike is Hard to Imagine After Another Month of Good Inflation News
This morning’s report on consumer prices came in exactly in line with expectations: The consumer price index (CPI) rose 0.2% month over month in July
Why Are So Many Luxury Condos Built In Cities That Face An Affordable Housing Crisis?
Originally published to Forbes on May 30, 2023. Despite a lack of affordable housing, many American cities have seen a paradoxical proliferation of new luxury
A Debt-Ceiling Crisis Would Hit the Housing Market Like a Hurricane
Originally published to Forbes on May 18, 2023. Natural disasters like hurricanes and snowstorms tend to temporarily halt housing market activity in affected areas. If
Redfin Economist Q&A: Tips For Homebuying & Selling As Mortgage Rates Remain Elevated
Many homebuyers and sellers have backed off as persistent inflation and mixed economic signals send mortgage rates up. But for people who are moving now,
Redfin Economist Q&A: Advice for People Who Need to Move Now While Housing Costs Remain Near Record Highs
Many prospective buyers and sellers have retreated to the sidelines as mortgage rates near 7% and home prices remain high, sending sales and new listings
Mortgage Rates Keep Rising Because the Economy Keeps Growing
When the 10-year treasury yield increases, mortgage rates increase. Several factors are causing the treasury yield to rise, including a resilient job market and consumers
September’s Inflation Report Unlikely to Push Mortgage Rates Up or Down
September’s CPI report came in just a touch above expectations, but not enough to change our outlook for the Fed’s next move. They’re still unlikely
Today’s Hot Jobs Report is Pushing Mortgage Rates Up, But It Shouldn’t Be
The Fed will look at the big picture–including the fact that rates have already increased so much recently–when considering a November rate hike. At first
Climate Change Pushes Up Home Insurance Premiums
Originally published to Forbes on September 18, 2023. A recent study from PolicyGenius found that quoted homeowner’s insurance premiums increased by 21% nationally from May 2022
4 Ways to Buy Your First Home, Even as Affordability Worsens
Originally published to Forbes on September 12, 2023. For many young Americans, the dream of owning a home feels less like a middle-class milestone and more
How Would a Government Shutdown Impact the Housing Market? Low Demand in D.C., Temporary Dip in Mortgage Rates, Loan Delays
The impact of a federal government shutdown on the economy and the U.S. housing market would likely be small, unless it lasts much longer than
