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
Redfin Economists’ Weekly Take: There’s a Fed Meeting on Deck, But White House Policy Is Biggest Driver of Mortgage Rates
This Week In A Nutshell: There’s a Fed meeting on Wednesday, but it’s unlikely to move mortgage rates. The key driver of rates recently have
Trump Showcases Housing Affordability Proposals at Davos: Banning Corporate Landlords, $200B Mortgage-Bond Purchase
President Trump called for a ban on Wall Street investors purchasing single-family homes, and reiterated an order for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to buy
Redfin Economists’ Weekly Take: Rates Climb, All Eyes On Trump’s Davos Housing Agenda
This Week In A Nutshell: Rates are climbing to kick off the week after turmoil in the Japanese bond market and President Trump’s intensified rhetoric
Mortgage Rates Expected to Stay Put After Today’s Mild Inflation Report
Takeaway: Mortgage rates are unlikely to move after a mild inflation report still marred by government shutdown-related distortions. Looking through the statistical issues, inflation likely
Redfin Economists’ Weekly Take: Mortgage Rates Dipped After Trump’s Mortgage-Bond Move, Fed Turmoil and Inflation Data Loom
This Week In A Nutshell: Mortgage rates dropped last week after President Trump announced $200B of MBS purchases. This week starts with news of the
Mixed Jobs Report Unlikely to Move Mortgage Rates Further
Takeaway: Another low hire-low fire jobs report leaves the Fed on track to leave rates alone for the next couple of meetings as expected, implying mortgage rates will
