@odetak.bsky.social
Deputy Chief Economist at First American
Real Estate & Housing Finance
Co-host of REconomy podcast
Albanian-American
📍DC
Real Estate & Housing Finance
Co-host of REconomy podcast
Albanian-American
📍DC
In this episode of the #REconomy podcast, we go back to the commercial real estate future and explain how the emerging CRE cycle most closely resembles the 1990s and what that means for market participants.
blog-firstam-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/blog.fir...
blog-firstam-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/blog.fir...
The REconomy Podcast™: Back to the CRE Future: What the 1990s Tell us about the New CRE Cycle
blog-firstam-com.cdn.ampproject.org
January 29, 2026 at 10:21 PM
In this episode of the #REconomy podcast, we go back to the commercial real estate future and explain how the emerging CRE cycle most closely resembles the 1990s and what that means for market participants.
blog-firstam-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/blog.fir...
blog-firstam-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/blog.fir...
Affordability improved for the ninth straight month in November 2025. The outlook hinges strongly on inventory: if supply remains closer to normal, price growth should remain in check and affordability will continue to recover.
blog.firstam.com/economics/ho...
blog.firstam.com/economics/ho...
January 27, 2026 at 10:47 PM
Affordability improved for the ninth straight month in November 2025. The outlook hinges strongly on inventory: if supply remains closer to normal, price growth should remain in check and affordability will continue to recover.
blog.firstam.com/economics/ho...
blog.firstam.com/economics/ho...
Join us for NABE’s 2026 Housing Market Outlook webinar on Friday, January 30. I’ll be moderating a panel covering what to expect for home sales, prices, affordability, inventory, and residential construction.
Register here: nabe.com/NABE/Events/...
Register here: nabe.com/NABE/Events/...
2026 Housing Market Outlook
nabe.com
January 21, 2026 at 12:22 AM
Join us for NABE’s 2026 Housing Market Outlook webinar on Friday, January 30. I’ll be moderating a panel covering what to expect for home sales, prices, affordability, inventory, and residential construction.
Register here: nabe.com/NABE/Events/...
Register here: nabe.com/NABE/Events/...
A bright spot to end 2025: existing-home sales accelerated in December. More supply and incomes rising faster than prices should gradually improve affordability—but don’t expect a sudden snapback. Read the full @bloomberg.com story:
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
US Home Resales Climb to Strongest Pace Since 2023
US previously owned home sales climbed in December to the fastest pace since 2023, a welcome sign for a housing market that has lacked momentum for several years.
www.bloomberg.com
January 15, 2026 at 10:00 PM
A bright spot to end 2025: existing-home sales accelerated in December. More supply and incomes rising faster than prices should gradually improve affordability—but don’t expect a sudden snapback. Read the full @bloomberg.com story:
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
In REconomy episode 133, we break down why new home sales are holding up, how incentives like rate buydowns are shaping affordability and what it means for housing supply heading into 2026.
blog.firstam.com/reconomy-pod...
blog.firstam.com/reconomy-pod...
The REconomy Podcast™: Homebuilders Maintain their Advantage Over the Existing-Home Market…for Now
In this episode of the REconomy Podcast™ we explore the 2026 new-home outlook, why builders still compete well with existing homes, and what changing inventory means.
blog.firstam.com
January 15, 2026 at 5:58 PM
In REconomy episode 133, we break down why new home sales are holding up, how incentives like rate buydowns are shaping affordability and what it means for housing supply heading into 2026.
blog.firstam.com/reconomy-pod...
blog.firstam.com/reconomy-pod...
December sales rose 5.1% to a 4.35 million seasonally adjusted annualized rate, the strongest pace since early 2023. But the broader story is still one of grind-it-out improvement, not a breakout.
I spoke with @wsj.com about these dynamics:
www.wsj.com/economy/hous...
I spoke with @wsj.com about these dynamics:
www.wsj.com/economy/hous...
Home Sales in December Jump 5.1%, Biggest Gain in Nearly 2 Years
Home sales rose 5.1% in December for the biggest gain in nearly two years, although 2025 as a whole still ranks as one of the worst sales slumps in decades.
www.wsj.com
January 14, 2026 at 8:55 PM
December sales rose 5.1% to a 4.35 million seasonally adjusted annualized rate, the strongest pace since early 2023. But the broader story is still one of grind-it-out improvement, not a breakout.
I spoke with @wsj.com about these dynamics:
www.wsj.com/economy/hous...
I spoke with @wsj.com about these dynamics:
www.wsj.com/economy/hous...
Reposted
More For Sale signs are finally starting to matter. Existing-home sales ticked up in November, and in @odetak.bsky.social's latest outlook she points to another modest gain to close the year. The market is beginning to thaw.
January 12, 2026 at 6:30 PM
More For Sale signs are finally starting to matter. Existing-home sales ticked up in November, and in @odetak.bsky.social's latest outlook she points to another modest gain to close the year. The market is beginning to thaw.
One year after the Palisades and Eaton Canyon fires, @xandersnyder.bsky.social examines the fire’s impact on residential rents throughout LA County. Though countywide impacts were modest, rent growth was significantly impacted in several neighborhoods surrounding the hardest-hit areas.
January 8, 2026 at 5:17 PM
One year after the Palisades and Eaton Canyon fires, @xandersnyder.bsky.social examines the fire’s impact on residential rents throughout LA County. Though countywide impacts were modest, rent growth was significantly impacted in several neighborhoods surrounding the hardest-hit areas.
New year, new housing market? On Episode 132 of the REconomy Podcast, we discuss our top “resolutions” for the 2026 housing market.
blog.firstam.com/reconomy-pod...?
blog.firstam.com/reconomy-pod...?
The REconomy Podcast™: New Year, New Housing Market? Resolutions for 2026
In this New Year’s episode of the REconomy Podcast™, the 2026 housing outlook takes shape, with mortgage rates above 6% and gradual gains in affordability, inventory, and sales.
blog.firstam.com
January 2, 2026 at 4:27 PM
New year, new housing market? On Episode 132 of the REconomy Podcast, we discuss our top “resolutions” for the 2026 housing market.
blog.firstam.com/reconomy-pod...?
blog.firstam.com/reconomy-pod...?
Q3 2025 NMDB data reveals:
- 20% of mortgaged homes have a rate <3%
- 31.5% have a rate 3.0 - 3.99%
- 17.1% have a rate 4.0 - 4.99%
- 10.2% have a rate 5.0 - 5.99%
- 21.2% have a rate >= 6%
Share below 6% (79%) is lowest since Q3 2015. Avg outstanding rate: 4.4%.
- 20% of mortgaged homes have a rate <3%
- 31.5% have a rate 3.0 - 3.99%
- 17.1% have a rate 4.0 - 4.99%
- 10.2% have a rate 5.0 - 5.99%
- 21.2% have a rate >= 6%
Share below 6% (79%) is lowest since Q3 2015. Avg outstanding rate: 4.4%.
December 30, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Q3 2025 NMDB data reveals:
- 20% of mortgaged homes have a rate <3%
- 31.5% have a rate 3.0 - 3.99%
- 17.1% have a rate 4.0 - 4.99%
- 10.2% have a rate 5.0 - 5.99%
- 21.2% have a rate >= 6%
Share below 6% (79%) is lowest since Q3 2015. Avg outstanding rate: 4.4%.
- 20% of mortgaged homes have a rate <3%
- 31.5% have a rate 3.0 - 3.99%
- 17.1% have a rate 4.0 - 4.99%
- 10.2% have a rate 5.0 - 5.99%
- 21.2% have a rate >= 6%
Share below 6% (79%) is lowest since Q3 2015. Avg outstanding rate: 4.4%.
Mortgage rates started 2025 at 6.96%, with the mortgage–Treasury spread at 233 basis points. By December, rates had declined to 6.2% and the spread narrowed to 206 basis points.
December 30, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Mortgage rates started 2025 at 6.96%, with the mortgage–Treasury spread at 233 basis points. By December, rates had declined to 6.2% and the spread narrowed to 206 basis points.
Great conversation on what’s ahead for the housing market in 2026. Can’t wait to continue the discussion at the HousingWire Economic Summit in February!
www.housingwire.com/podcast/firs...
www.housingwire.com/podcast/firs...
First American’s Odeta Kushi on the 2026 housing forecast - HousingWire
HousingWire CEO Clayton Collins talks with First American's Odeta Kushi, about affordability and her 2026 forecast.
www.housingwire.com
December 29, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Great conversation on what’s ahead for the housing market in 2026. Can’t wait to continue the discussion at the HousingWire Economic Summit in February!
www.housingwire.com/podcast/firs...
www.housingwire.com/podcast/firs...
Housing affordability improved YoY for the 8th consecutive month in October, reaching its best level since the summer of 2022. More in the blog.
blog.firstam.com/economics/af...
blog.firstam.com/economics/af...
Affordability Improves to Best Level in Over Three Years
First American Chief Economist Mark Fleming shares the October 2025 Real House Price Index, explaining how the outlook for house prices varies by geography.
blog.firstam.com
December 29, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Housing affordability improved YoY for the 8th consecutive month in October, reaching its best level since the summer of 2022. More in the blog.
blog.firstam.com/economics/af...
blog.firstam.com/economics/af...
In this special holiday episode of The REconomy Podcast, we unwrap the hidden homeownership themes threaded throughout some of the most iconic holiday movie classics. Listen on your favorite podcast platform!
blog.firstam.com/reconomy-pod...
blog.firstam.com/reconomy-pod...
The REconomy Podcast™: Homeownership Steals the Scene in the Holiday Movie Classics
In this special episode of The REconomy Podcast™, classic holiday films reveal how homeownership serves as the emotional core of the American story.
blog.firstam.com
December 23, 2025 at 4:55 PM
In this special holiday episode of The REconomy Podcast, we unwrap the hidden homeownership themes threaded throughout some of the most iconic holiday movie classics. Listen on your favorite podcast platform!
blog.firstam.com/reconomy-pod...
blog.firstam.com/reconomy-pod...
Reposted
For much of the past 25 years, declining cap rates quietly did a lot of the work for CRE returns. Looking back over a longer horizon, though, the last 25 years stands out as unusual.
December 22, 2025 at 7:16 PM
For much of the past 25 years, declining cap rates quietly did a lot of the work for CRE returns. Looking back over a longer horizon, though, the last 25 years stands out as unusual.
Reposted
On the latest episode of The REconomy Podcast, we walked through our 2026 CRE outlook. In short, after a challenging set of years defined by rate shocks, falling prices, and general macroeconomic uncertainty, the commercial real estate market appears to reached a turning point.
The REconomy Podcast™: Commercial Real Estate Turns a Corner: What to Expect in 2026
In this episode of The REconomy Podcast™, we explore the 2026 commercial real estate outlook and five forces signaling a real CRE recovery.
blog.firstam.com
December 18, 2025 at 6:29 PM
On the latest episode of The REconomy Podcast, we walked through our 2026 CRE outlook. In short, after a challenging set of years defined by rate shocks, falling prices, and general macroeconomic uncertainty, the commercial real estate market appears to reached a turning point.
In a housing market frozen in place for years, even a small gift—slightly looser rate lock-in—can help warm up housing activity.
Read more in the blog: blog.firstam.com/economics/th...
Read more in the blog: blog.firstam.com/economics/th...
The Housing Market’s Holiday Gift: A Loosening Lock-In Effect
The housing market remains constrained by rate lock-in, yet easing gaps between mortgage rates are boosting resale momentum
blog.firstam.com
December 17, 2025 at 9:11 PM
In a housing market frozen in place for years, even a small gift—slightly looser rate lock-in—can help warm up housing activity.
Read more in the blog: blog.firstam.com/economics/th...
Read more in the blog: blog.firstam.com/economics/th...
Reposted
After a multi-year freeze, the housing market is showing signs of a slow thaw. The reason isn't a big drop in mortgage rates, but rather the shift in the mortgage rate lock-in effect. Most homeowners refinanced or bought at all-time low interest rates in 2020-2022.
December 17, 2025 at 8:13 PM
After a multi-year freeze, the housing market is showing signs of a slow thaw. The reason isn't a big drop in mortgage rates, but rather the shift in the mortgage rate lock-in effect. Most homeowners refinanced or bought at all-time low interest rates in 2020-2022.
Really looking forward to the HousingWire Economic Summit this February.
I recently shared my take in HousingWire, where I narrow in on three key forces shaping the housing market in 2026.
www.housingwire.com/articles/hou...
I recently shared my take in HousingWire, where I narrow in on three key forces shaping the housing market in 2026.
www.housingwire.com/articles/hou...
3 forces shaping the housing market in 2026
Three factors — affordability, demographic demand and inventory — will define the 2026 housing market, with slow but meaningful shifts.
www.housingwire.com
December 15, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Really looking forward to the HousingWire Economic Summit this February.
I recently shared my take in HousingWire, where I narrow in on three key forces shaping the housing market in 2026.
www.housingwire.com/articles/hou...
I recently shared my take in HousingWire, where I narrow in on three key forces shaping the housing market in 2026.
www.housingwire.com/articles/hou...
Reposted
The latest REconomy episode pulls from a classic 1970's claymation film in order to…unpack the Fed's upcoming rate decision, one of the trickiest it will face in recent memory.
You might be asking yourself - how in the world are these two things related? Well..
You might be asking yourself - how in the world are these two things related? Well..
December 5, 2025 at 6:46 PM
The latest REconomy episode pulls from a classic 1970's claymation film in order to…unpack the Fed's upcoming rate decision, one of the trickiest it will face in recent memory.
You might be asking yourself - how in the world are these two things related? Well..
You might be asking yourself - how in the world are these two things related? Well..
Reposted
2026 might mark the turning point many in CRE have been waiting for.
In my latest piece, a 2026 outlook, I discuss a combination of five stabilizing “forces” that's laying the groundwork for a real recovery across commercial real-estate.
blog.firstam.com/cre-insights...
In my latest piece, a 2026 outlook, I discuss a combination of five stabilizing “forces” that's laying the groundwork for a real recovery across commercial real-estate.
blog.firstam.com/cre-insights...
2026 CRE Outlook: Five Forces Forge a Favorable Foundation for CRE
As commercial real estate stabilizes and distress peaks, sales rise and refinancing nears pre-pandemic levels, setting the stage for the 2026 outlook.
blog.firstam.com
December 3, 2025 at 5:24 PM
2026 might mark the turning point many in CRE have been waiting for.
In my latest piece, a 2026 outlook, I discuss a combination of five stabilizing “forces” that's laying the groundwork for a real recovery across commercial real-estate.
blog.firstam.com/cre-insights...
In my latest piece, a 2026 outlook, I discuss a combination of five stabilizing “forces” that's laying the groundwork for a real recovery across commercial real-estate.
blog.firstam.com/cre-insights...
Will Housing Affordability Improve in 2026?
Check out our latest blog for more.
blog.firstam.com/economics/wi...
Check out our latest blog for more.
blog.firstam.com/economics/wi...
December 1, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Will Housing Affordability Improve in 2026?
Check out our latest blog for more.
blog.firstam.com/economics/wi...
Check out our latest blog for more.
blog.firstam.com/economics/wi...
Reposted
Where is data center development happening in PA? Why has it become such an attractive alternative to other well-known locations like Northern Virginia and Texas? Take a look at this interview with First American's local expert on the ground to learn more.
blog.firstam.com/commercial/t...
blog.firstam.com/commercial/t...
The Inside Look with Xander Snyder - Episode 24
Explore the rapid rise of data centers in Pennsylvania as Senior Economist Xander Snyder and Annemarie Caruso break down the economic drivers, policy shifts, energy demands, and infrastructure shaping...
blog.firstam.com
November 24, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Where is data center development happening in PA? Why has it become such an attractive alternative to other well-known locations like Northern Virginia and Texas? Take a look at this interview with First American's local expert on the ground to learn more.
blog.firstam.com/commercial/t...
blog.firstam.com/commercial/t...
After a delayed start, younger home buyers are gaining ground. Millennials are converting rising earnings and family formation into purchases in their 30s, reaching parity with Gen X by their early forties and poised to modestly surpass them.
blog.firstam.com/economics/a-...
blog.firstam.com/economics/a-...
November 24, 2025 at 7:11 PM
After a delayed start, younger home buyers are gaining ground. Millennials are converting rising earnings and family formation into purchases in their 30s, reaching parity with Gen X by their early forties and poised to modestly surpass them.
blog.firstam.com/economics/a-...
blog.firstam.com/economics/a-...
In this episode the #REconomy podcast, we carve up the 2025 housing market trends we’re thankful for. From easing rates & improving affordability to growing inventory & demographic tailwinds, we highlight ‘grateful 8’ reasons for housing market optimism.
blog.firstam.com/reconomy-pod...
blog.firstam.com/reconomy-pod...
The REconomy Podcast™: The Grateful Eight – A Thanksgiving Recipe for Housing Market Optimism
In this Thanksgiving REconomy Podcast episode, economists Mark Fleming and Odeta Kushi share eight reasons to be optimistic about 2025 housing market trends.
blog.firstam.com
November 20, 2025 at 9:09 PM
In this episode the #REconomy podcast, we carve up the 2025 housing market trends we’re thankful for. From easing rates & improving affordability to growing inventory & demographic tailwinds, we highlight ‘grateful 8’ reasons for housing market optimism.
blog.firstam.com/reconomy-pod...
blog.firstam.com/reconomy-pod...