Housing and Economic Research
Original research and analysis on housing trends, the economy and the mortgage market
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Research Note | July 12, 2021
Has An Urban Exodus Occurred? Residential Environment Trends Shaping the Future of Where We Live
As we noted in a previous report, there was an observed shift of home purchases in the last decade, even before the onset of COVID-19, from urban areas to suburbs and rural towns. We went on to link several possible socioeconomic factors driving the ongoing trend of household migration away from urban areas. More
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Research Note | June 2, 2021
Rural Home Purchases Outpaced Urban Purchases Through the 2010s
The COVID-19 pandemic has increased interest in homeowner mobility. There has been a growing trend of moving away from urban areas as housing preferences have shifted towards larger homes that are more conducive to remote work and virtual learning. More
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Research Note | May 12, 2021
Almost 50% of Black and Hispanic Borrowers Could Save $1,200 Annually by Refinancing
The recent record low mortgage interest rates provide many borrowers with an opportunity to save thousands of dollars by lowering their mortgage rate through refinancing. But a closer look at who is refinancing demonstrates that many borrowers who could benefit from refinancing still aren’t pursuing the option. More
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Research Note | May 7, 2021
Housing Supply: A Growing Deficit
In a recent "Perspectives" piece about the housing supply shortage, Freddie Mac's Chief Economist, Sam Khater highlighted the growing deficit that the industry has been facing, not only during the pandemic but even before the pandemic hit. More
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Forecast | April 14, 2021
Quarterly Forecast: As the Economy Recovers, the Housing Market Remains Healthy While Mortgage Rates Move Up
Availability of the vaccine continues to improve, and COVID-19 restrictions are easing therefore sparking economic growth. With the passage of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, which included payments of up to $1,400 for individuals, $2,800 for married couples plus $1,400 for each dependent, consumer confidence in March reached the highest level since the start of the pandemic. More
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Consumer Research | March 22, 2021
Confidence in Housing Market High as Concerns about Finances Linger
New Freddie Mac research shows the uncertainty renters and homeowners have about their ability to pay their rent or mortgage during the pandemic. More
