

The REconomy Podcast
First American
First American’s economic podcast examining the forces that influence real estate, housing and affordability, featuring First American Chief Economist Mark Fleming, Ph.D. and Deputy Chief Economist Odeta Kushi.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 11, 2025 • 12min
Flight to Quality or Softening Demand? What’s Driving the Shift in the Industrial CRE Market - EP 124
In this episode of The REconomy Podcast™, Chief Economist Mark Fleming and Deputy Chief Economist Odeta Kushi welcome back Senior Commercial Real Estate Economist Xander Snyder to discuss the shifting dynamics within the industrial real estate market. Net absorption for industrial turned negative for the first time in 15 years, a clear signal of a rebalancing market, but a closer look indicates long-term support for industrial demand.

Aug 28, 2025 • 14min
Housing Market at a Crossroads – Where Will Mortgage Rates and Sales Go from Here? - EP 123
In this episode of The REconomy Podcast™, Chief Economist Mark Fleming and Deputy Chief Economist Odeta Kushi dig into the question on every potential home buyer’s mind, “where are mortgage rates headed through the end of the year?” Their conversation highlights why rates are not the only driver of market activity and explain the “dual lock-in effect” keeping a lid on housing market activity. However, there’s reason for optimism, as a new real estate cycle may be emerging.

Aug 14, 2025 • 15min
You’re Not Alone: the Cost of Living Has Jumped for Everyone - Summer School Series - EP 122
In this episode of The Economy Podcast™, Chief Economist Mark Fleming and Deputy Chief Economist Odeta Kushi wrap up The REconomy Summer School series by diving into the findings of a recently published multi-part research series on the rising costs of living with special guest and research author, Senior Economist Sam Williamson. A variety of economic, environmental, and regional factors have pushed the number of cost-burdened households to a new peak in 2023. Their conversation breaks down how rising costs have impacted different age groups, why certain markets have suffered more than others, and what’s next in Sam’s cost of living series.

Jul 31, 2025 • 14min
The “Missing Middle” May Hold the Key to Unlocking the Housing Affordability Crisis - Summer School Series - EP 121
In this episode of The REconomy Podcast™ from First American, Chief Economist Mark Fleming and Deputy Chief Economist Odeta Kushi continue the REconomy Summer School series with a discussion of a possible solution to the housing affordability crisis. From easing zoning restrictions and regulatory hurdles to addressing financing challenges and quelling NIMBY opposition, the episode unpacks how reviving construction of “missing middle” housing can help improve affordability.
Don’t miss a single REconomy episode, subscribe today.

Jul 17, 2025 • 18min
Understanding the Supply Side Challenges – Why Can’t We Build More Homes Where People Want to Live? - Summer School Series - EP 120
In this episode of The REconomy Podcast™ from First American, Chief Economist Mark Fleming and Deputy Chief Economist Odeta Kushi continue season two of The REconomy Summer School series with an in-depth look at the supply side of the housing market, explaining the long-term structural shortage in the nation’s supply of housing and the challenges limiting builders’ efforts to build more homes in the places people want to live.

Jul 3, 2025 • 15min
Why Life Events Still Drive Home-Buying Demand Despite Affordability Challenges - Summer School Series - EP 119
In this episode of The REconomy Podcast™ from First American, Chief Economist Mark Fleming and Deputy Chief Economist Odeta Kushi reconvene season 2 of The REconomy Summer School series with an in-depth discussion of the factors that drive the decision to buy a home – from lifestyle events like marriage, children, and career changes to economic realities like affordability, inventory, and credit constraints – and what that means for today’s housing market.

Jun 19, 2025 • 16min
What is the Foundation of Housing Demand in the U.S.? - Summer School Series - EP 118
In this episode of The REconomy Podcast™ from First American, Chief Economist Mark Fleming and Deputy Chief Economist Odeta Kushi call class back into session as they kick off season 2 of The REconomy Summer School with an in-depth look at the foundation of housing demand – household formation, who forms households and when, and what even counts as a household.

Jun 5, 2025 • 15min
Don’t Mistake a Housing Market Wobble for a Crash - EP 117
In this episode of The REconomy Podcast™ from First American, Chief Economist Mark Fleming and Deputy Chief Economist Odeta Kushi examine growing concerns regarding the health of the housing market, finding that distress is rising and prices are declining in some markets, but the broader fundamentals underpinning housing remain strong.

May 22, 2025 • 13min
The State of Homeownership in 2025 - EP 116
In this episode of The REconomy Podcast™ from First American, Chief Economist Mark Fleming and Deputy Chief Economist Odeta Kushi commemorate National Homeownership Month with a deep dive into the state of homeownership, including how it’s measured, the demographics of homeownership and what the future holds for prospective buyers.

May 8, 2025 • 13min
Are we on the Verge of a Retail Leasing Apocalypse? - EP 115
In this episode of The REconomy Podcast™ from First American, Deputy Chief Economist Odeta Kushi and Senior Commercial Economist Xander Snyder examine the wave of retailers going out of business and how their abandoned retail space may impact retail leasing dynamics across the country.