The REconomy Podcast

In this holiday-themed episode of the REconomy Podcast™, Chief Economist Mark Fleming and Deputy Chief Economist Odeta Kushi channel the classic Heat Miser and Snow Miser characters from The Year Without Santa Claus to debate the Federal Reserve’s upcoming December rate decision. From cooling shelter inflation and moderating wage growth to tariff-driven price pressures and a softening labor market, they break down the mixed signals shaping the Fed’s interest rate dilemma. Mark and Odeta make the case why the Fed may lean toward some Heat Miser rate-cut warmth or adopt some Snow Miser restraint heading into 2026. Don’t miss a single REconomy episode, subscribe today.  

In this Thanksgiving-themed episode of the REconomy Podcast™, Chief Economist Mark Fleming and Deputy Chief Economist Odeta Kushi carve up the 2025 housing market trends they’re thankful for. From easing mortgage rates and improving affordability to growing inventory and demographic tailwinds, they highlight ‘grateful eight’ reasons for housing market optimism. Don’t miss a single REconomy episode, subscribe today.

In this episode of the REconomy Podcast™, Chief Economist Mark Fleming and Deputy Chief Economist Odeta Kushi shine a light on the housing market’s scariest headlines, exposing the myths shrouding reality. They explain why slowing price growth, a modest uptick in delinquencies, and low sales volumes point to a market that’s steadily rebalancing, rather than crashing. Don’t miss a single REconomy episode, subscribe today.  

In this episode of the REconomy Podcast™, Deputy Chief Economist Odeta Kushi and Senior Commercial Economist Xander Snyder break down whether the commercial real estate market has reached peak distress, explaining why shifts in debt maturities, delinquency rates and sales activity across asset classes may offer a glimmer of optimism.

In this episode of the REconomy Podcast™, Chief Economist Mark Fleming and Deputy Chief Economist Odeta Kushi break down why Federal Reserve rate cuts don’t always translate into lower mortgage rates and how today’s complex economic environment may make the housing market less rate sensitive than many believe.   Don’t miss a single REconomy episode, subscribe today.  

In this episode of the REconomy Podcast™, Chief Economist Mark Fleming and Deputy Chief Economist Odeta Kushi explore the state of housing affordability through the lens of history and even the NFL. They compare affordability levels today with those from the late 1970s and early 1980s, revealing why the “cheaper” homes of the past weren’t necessarily more affordable, and highlight the results of the 2025 Affordability Bowl, which ranks first-time home buyer affordability across NFL divisions. Don’t miss a single REconomy episode, subscribe today.  

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.

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.

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.

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.