First American Title

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What’s that we see? A glimmer of light in the commercial real estate market?
That’s right, for the first time since 2022 we’re beginning to see increases in CRE lending.

Join economists Mark and Xander as they break down the data in this week’s episode of the REconomy podcast, available on your favorite streaming platforms.

While finances are often a huge factor in the decision to purchase a home, the Five D's of Life are also key determinants of homeownership demand. Do you fall into any of these categories?

A one-time payment for long-term protection? Sounds like a real value. Unlike other types of insurance, you only pay for a title insurance policy once and it will cover you for as long as you own the home (and sometimes even longer!).

Learn more about the cost of title insurance, what could be covered, and when it can be used: https://firstam.us/4dakwqr

Did you miss a Summer School session? Don't worry, we made you a cheat sheet. In fact, we made you a whole guide.

To get started, download the guide: https://firstam.us/3WWgaNg

Mortgage rates are dipping, but is it enough to entice renters to buy?

Read more about the progress toward normalcy, the factors still holding renters back, and the optimism for the future here: https://firstam.us/3ZmxPAL

Did you know that overly restrictive zoning can limit housing supply and drive higher prices, a dynamic we're seeing in today's market?

In this week’s episode Mark and Odeta delve into the rich world of urban economics, discussing everything from zoning regulations to the dynamics of different city types, as well as exploring the potential impact of remote work on these traditional urban models.

Be sure to tune in! Available on your favorite platforms or our website: https://firstam.us/4gtX8GY

Good news: While the housing market flirted with a recession in May and June, it didn’t fully commit.

Better news: July and August data hint that the peak risk of a housing recession may be behind us.

Read to learn more about what defines a housing recession, the history of recessions in the U.S., and how we may narrowly avoid one in 2024: https://firstam.us/4e0o5Rc

Where did you stay during your summer vacation this year? Chances are you stayed in a commercial property. But what exactly makes a property "commercial"?

Find the answer to this question and more in our handy dandy Summer School Guide. Download today: https://firstam.us/3WWgaNg

Recently named a 2024 HousingWire Insider, SVP and Chief Innovation Underwriter Justin Earley shares a peek behind the curtain of the development of Galileo, a revolutionary platform and toolset built for underwriters by underwriters that ultimately helps protect our customers.

To learn more about how Galileo came from concept to fruition, read the full article here: https://firstam.us/4e20xL9

While the 30-year fixed-rate mortgages are popular in the U.S. housing market, did you know that they aren't available everywhere?

To learn more about the history and lifecycle of mortgages, tune in to the Summer School Series on the REconomy Podcast, available via Spotify, Apple Podcasts or our website: https://firstam.us/3Z1QUIc

Pop Quiz! Did you know that homeownership is the primary driver of wealth creation in the country? Did you also know that a potential Federal Reserve rate cut could mean some hope is on the horizon for first-time homebuyers?

While Mark and Odeta talk through everything you need to know about homeownership on the REconomy podcast, you can follow along by downloading the companion guide here: https://firstam.us/3SPfurI

While housing affordability improved in 12 markets last month, buyer sentiment remains low, challenged by rising home prices and high mortgage rates. Which markets saw improvement, and is it enough to shift the tide?

Affordability Improves for Second Straight Month, but Home Buyers Shrug First American Chief Economist Mark Fleming shares the July 2024 Real House Price Index, explaining how the outlook for house prices varies by geography.

Class is in session! Your Summer School instructors Mark and Odeta are here to walk you through the journey from home shopping to home purchase to finally getting those keys.

Was that a school bell ringing? Don't be late. Tune in by downloading the guide today: https://firstam.us/3WWgaNg

Everyone’s five favorite words: optimism in the housing market. As mortgage rates begin to trend lower again, there is a glimmer of hope for both buyers and sellers to lift home sales from their lowest level in more than 13 years.

Read on for more details: https://firstam.us/4dNpfPf

Mortgage Rate Relief Brings Much-Needed Optimism to the Housing Market First American Deputy Chief Economist Odeta Kushi shares the latest Existing-Homes Sales Outlook Report. Find out what's motivating homeowners to sell and the projected trends for July 2024.

How do we really measure housing affordability? In the 5th episode of The REconomy Podcast™ Summer School series, Mark and Odeta break down the complexities of traditional methods and explore why they often miss the mark. Tune in to gain a fresh perspective on what housing affordability truly means.

The REconomy Podcast™: Cracking the Code of House Prices and Affordability The REconomy Podcast™ Chief Economist Mark Fleming, Deputy Chief Economist Odeta Kushi Kushi continue the Summer School series, dissect the various methodologies for measuring housing affordability.

Making homes more affordable for Americans is important, but so is protecting those home buyers.

The recent effort by federal regulators to scrap title insurance could put families at risk of losing access to their greatest source of wealth, and more importantly, at risk of losing their home.

To learn more about the important role title insurance plays in buying a home and protecting home buyers, click here:

Why Misguided Calls to Scrap Title Insurance Would Make Homeownership More Costly and Threaten the Economy Over the past several months, a growing number of federal regulators and officials have signaled a desire to eliminate t...

Title insurance is important for lenders and home buyers alike, providing an added layer of security to minimize risk. It’s a safeguard against potential errors or omissions that might otherwise threaten the buyer’s ownership rights or the lender’s lien.

Discover how title insurance is an instrumental component to real estate transactions of all sizes: https://firstam.us/4dureb9

An increase in housing supply is key to improving affordability. With more homes on the market, we're seeing a positive impact on affordability in many areas.

Check out the latest Real House Price Index report to learn more.

Housing Supply Surge Improves Affordability in Some Markets First American Chief Economist Mark Fleming shares the June 2024 Real House Price Index, explaining how the outlook for house prices varies by geography.

Remember when scammers made fake documents to try and auction off Elvis’ Graceland estate? Sadly, these scams aren’t limited to the rich and famous. The Wall Street Journal has a great rundown of what homeowners need to learn from this episode -- and how title insurance can help protect you from scammers.

More people are closing on real estate from afar, and record-breaking home equity offers a valuable target for scammers. That’s why First American Title’s Sarah Frano, an expert in real estate fraud, says “there has been a sharp rise in seller impersonation fraud over the past few years, where a fraudster impersonates an owner by forging a deed conveying property to an unsuspecting buyer.”

Thanks to diligent title searches and record keeping by First American and other title companies, the risk of losing your home through these scams is low, but fraudulent deeds and mortgages can still be incredibly costly. To protect yourself, Sarah recommends setting up a Google alert for your address so you can stop a fraudulent home sale before it happens. And critically, a First American Eagle title insurance policy “will cover you for losses you incur due to fraud or forgery” either before or after you purchase a home.

Homeownership, and the entire real estate sector, depend on accurate property records. Title companies proactively find and correct millions of property records every month, and they have your back when scammers strike.

WSJ | Scammers Tried to Sell Graceland. How to Prevent Your Home From Being Next. Even if you don’t lose your property, title fraud can have real consequences.

While existing homeowners benefit from home equity, it’s still a tough landscape for everyone, especially first-time buyers. The good news? Slower price appreciation and lower mortgage rates are on the horizon, bringing hope for those ready to step into homeownership.

Check out the latest Existing-Home Sales Outlook Report: https://firstam.us/3Y4d38m

Fraudsters are motivated and sophisticated, but so are we. We continue to highlight the growing risk to homeowners from fraud, and how title insurance can help protect them from scammers. Earlier this week, Vice President and Real Estate Fraud Risk Expert, Sarah Frano, was quoted in an AARP article with her perspective on seller impersonation fraud and how consumers can protect themselves.

Scammers Who Commit Title Fraud Steal Your Identity — Then Your Home Criminals can use public information to victimize both buyers and owners in this real estate scam

ICYMI: Curious about the key drivers and benefits of homeownership? Join Mark and Odeta in the second episode of The REconomy Podcast™ Summer School series, where they break down these fundamentals and their impact on today's housing market.

Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or our website: https://firstam.us/4br4APy

Curious about the key drivers and benefits of homeownership? Join Mark and Odeta in the second episode of The REconomy Podcast™ Summer School series, where they break down these fundamentals and their impact on today's housing market.

Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or our website: https://firstam.us/3RWsgVf

Curious about the mid-year housing outlook? Despite current challenges, there's optimism on the horizon. While affordability remains a concern with rising mortgage rates and home prices outpacing incomes, there’s a brighter outlook beyond this year.

Check out the latest Real House Price Index Report: https://firstam.us/3xQWy4D