Zelman Insights

Two weeks ago, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) published its Housing Opportunity Index, which is intended to frame housing affordability across the country. The index is calculated on a 0-100 scale, with higher values aligned ...

As of 2017, we estimate that there were approximately 78 million single-family detached homes in the country, of which 65 million were owner-occupied. We further estimate that Baby Boomers – defined as people born from 1946-64 – owned almost ...

According to data just released by the Census Bureau, the national homeownership rate continued its cyclical recovery, averaging 64.3% in 2Q18. This is 60 basis points stronger than in 2Q17, marking the sixth consecutive quarter that year-over-year ...

In late May, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released preliminary 2017 birth data. The totals were surprisingly weak after six years of strength among key age cohorts. Naturally, the weakness spurred numerous ...

Economists have the unenviable task of predicting the future across a wide host of sectors, handicapping international and political influences along the way. The crystal ball requirement obviously leaves the profession with a mixed track record ...

All real estate is local. That is a truism rarely doubted. It is often meant to convey that location matters more than most else and can often overcome other challenges. Taken further, many housing market executives spend an exorbitant amount ...

While economic activity appears to have accelerated so far in 2018, some prominent economic forecasters have become more cautious about growth prospects for 2019 and 2020. For instance, in early June, former Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke ...

In 2005, we estimate that there were 6.6 million purchase mortgages originated, proving to be an all-time peak. At that time, even with the excessive level of subprime and low-quality loans that are often associated with non-banks, 66% of originations ...

According to our analysis of Census Bureau data, in 2016, 35% of 25-39 year olds had earned a Bachelor’s degree or higher, continuing a multi-decade increase. For comparison, the share stood at 31% in 2010, 27% in 2000, 24% in 1990, 23% in ...

From 2007-16, national births declined 9% in total and 1.0% per year, a drag that has been unmatched over the last four decades, which can be attributed to slower adult population growth, shifting age cohorts, secular changes in young adult ...