The REconomy Podcast

Will Rising Energy Prices Scramble the Spring Home-Buying Season? - EP 138

In this episode of The REconomy Podcast™, Chief Economist Mark Fleming and Deputy Chief Economist Odeta Kushi explore whether the 2026 spring home-buying season may turn on recent events and rising energy prices. They discuss the economic forces shaping housing demand, including labor market trends, mortgage rates, housing affordability and the persistent lock-in effect limiting supply. While affordability has improved modestly and inventory levels are rising, meaningful housing market recovery will likely remain gradual rather than dramatic. Don’t miss a single REconomy episode, subscribe today.

The Four Keys that May Unlock the Economy and Housing Market in 2026 - EP 137

In this episode of The REconomy Podcast™, Chief Economist Mark Fleming and Deputy Chief Economist Odeta Kushi explore four key dynamics that are shaping the outlook for the broader economy and the housing market, including macro-economic landscape, labor market shifts, housing supply and even artificial intelligence and productivity. While the broader economy remains resilient, structural challenges continue to shape housing affordability and market dynamics in the year ahead. Don’t miss a single REconomy episode, subscribe today.

What’s Shaping Homeownership Demand Ahead of the 2026 Spring Home-Buying Season? - EP 136

In this episode of the REconomy Podcast™, Chief Economist Mark Fleming and Deputy Chief Economist Odeta Kushi examine the demographic trends shaping homeownership demand, highlight the wealth-generating power of homeownership, and explain their cautious optimism ahead of the 2026 spring home-buying season. Despite affordability challenges and the ongoing rate lock-in effect, the underlying demand for homeownership remains structurally strong. Don’t miss a single REconomy episode, subscribe today.

A CRE Shift – When Office Conversions May Start to Materially Impact the National Office Market - EP 135

In this episode of the REconomy Podcast, Chief Economist Mark Fleming, Deputy Chief Economist Odeta Kushi, and Senior Commercial Real Estate Economist Xander Snyder unpack why an uptick in office conversions has had limited impact on the broader office market, and why that may soon change. Office-to-residential conversions remain difficult, costly, and limited in scale, while new office construction has continued to add supply. However, sharply lower office construction starts could mark a shift, making office conversions measurably influential to national office market in the years ahead. Don’t miss a single REconomy episode, subscribe today.
 

Back to the CRE Future: What the 1990s Tell us about the New CRE Cycle - EP 134

In this episode of the REconomy Podcast™, Chief Economist Mark Fleming and Deputy Chief Economist Odeta Kushi go back to the commercial real estate future with Senior Economist Xander Snyder, explaining how the emerging CRE cycle most closely resembles the 1990s and what that means for market participants. Drawing on a proprietary analysis of historical data, the team breaks down why cap rates are more likely to move sideways, rather than fall meaningfully, making income growth and operational execution far more important than valuation tailwinds.
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Homebuilders Maintain their Advantage Over the Existing-Home Market…for Now - EP 133

In this episode of the REconomy Podcast™, Chief Economist Mark Fleming and Deputy Chief Economist Odeta Kushi dig into their 2026 outlook for the new-home market, framing how homebuilders remain well positioned in the competition for buyers with the existing-home market in the year ahead. However, that advantage may become harder to sustain as inventory and affordability in the existing-home market gradually improve. Don’t miss a single REconomy episode, subscribe today.
 

New Year, New Housing Market? Resolutions for 2026 - EP 132

In this New Year’s episode of the REconomy Podcast™, Chief Economist Mark Fleming and Deputy Chief Economist Odeta Kushi offer their “resolutions” for the 2026 housing market. From mortgage rates that may remain above 6 percent to gradual improvements in affordability, inventory, and sales activity, 2026 resolves to trend toward normalization amid a still-solid macroeconomic landscape. Don’t miss a single REconomy episode, subscribe today.
 

Homeownership Steals the Scene in the Holiday Movie Classics (Special Holiday Edition)

In this special holiday episode of The REconomy Podcast™, Chief Economist Mark Fleming and Deputy Chief Economist Odeta Kushi unwrap the hidden homeownership themes threaded throughout some of the most iconic holiday movie classics. From It’s a Wonderful Life to Home Alone to The Holiday, and Christmas Vacation, homeownership is more than a backdrop, it is the emotional core of the American story. Don’t miss a single REconomy episode, subscribe today.
 

Commercial Real Estate Turns a Corner: What to Expect in 2026 - EP 131

In this episode of the REconomy Podcast™, Chief Economist Mark Fleming and Deputy Chief Economist Odeta Kushi dig into the 2026 outlook for commercial real estate (CRE) with senior economist Xander Snyder, who identified five forces that will shape the CRE market as its nascent recovery accelerates. Stabilizing prices, rising sales activity, rebounding refinancing volumes, increasing distress resolution, and lenders pivoting from defense to offense signal that 2026 may be the year the CRE recovery truly starts to feel like one. Don’t miss a single REconomy episode, subscribe today.
 

Will the Fed side with Snow Miser or Heat Miser on Rates? - EP 130

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.