How the Delta variant may impact the housing market Logan Mohtashami shares his insights on when the housing market is returning to normal

Didier Malagies • July 30, 2021


The following Q&A comes from the HW+ exclusive Slack channel, where HousingWire’s Lead Analyst Logan Mohtashami answered questions on what to make of the latest housing data, his forecast for the rest of this year, and whether or not the housing market is returning to normal. He also addresses how he foresees the Delta variant impacting the housing market. Looking at the data, it’s not as simple as comparing year-over-year changes or even monthly changes since the past year was filled with never-before-seen situations.



The following Q&A has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

HousingWire: There’s so much happening in the housing market right now, it’s hard to stay on top of the latest data and what it means. What are the top takeaways that people should know about the market right now?

Logan Mohtashami:

  1. We have a lot of crazy housing data, but when you make COVID-19 adjustments and work on the moderation from the parabolic run-up from the 2nd half of 2020, not much is happening in sales data. This looks very normal to me, especially with the existing home sales data that ended 2020 with 5,640,000, which is only 130,000 more than 2017 levels. 


2. We see that in the new home sales market as well, which the data got extremely wild.


3. The uptrend is new home sales working from the weakest housing recovery from 2008-2019 is still intact even with the extremely high cost through price inflation buyers had to deal with in 2020/2021.


4. Of course, the main reason why I say this is the unhealthiest housing market post-2010 is that pricing has gone straight vertical in the existing home sales market, not because of a credit boom but because of a raw shortage of homes. This was my big fear. 

5. The 5-year cumulative price growth model that I had for years 2020-2024, which I believed things would be okay if we just only had 23% price growth during this period, has been smashed before two years.




Start Your Loan with DDA today
Your local Mortgage Broker

Mortgage Broker Largo
See our Reviews

Looking for more details? Listen to our extended podcast! 

Check out our other helpful videos to learn more about credit and residential mortgages.

By Didier Malagies June 16, 2025
Buying a condo is different from purchasing a single-family home, and it's important to understand the unique consid Here’s a simple and clear breakdown of how AI is making second mortgages easier for homeowners and lenders alike: 🔍 What Is a Second Mortgage? A second mortgage lets homeowners borrow against their home's equity, without replacing their existing mortgage. Common types: Home Equity Loan (lump sum) HELOC (Home Equity Line of Credit) 🤖 How AI Makes Second Mortgages Easier 1. Faster Approval Times AI streamlines credit, income, and property evaluations. Cuts days or weeks off traditional underwriting. 2. Smarter Risk Assessment Machine learning analyzes borrower profiles more accurately than standard models. Lenders can offer better rates to lower-risk borrowers. 3. Better Property Valuations AI-powered AVMs (automated valuation models) assess home value using up-to-date market data, photos, and even satellite imagery. 4. Chatbots & Virtual Assistants Available 24/7 to answer questions, guide users through the process, and gather documents. Reduces human error and friction for borrowers. 5. Fraud Detection AI systems detect unusual patterns in applications to flag potential fraud before approval. 6. Personalized Loan Offers Based on data from credit, home value, and income, AI can recommend the right loan product—tailored to the borrower’s needs. 🏡 Why It Matters for You Quicker access to cash Less paperwork More competitive offers Lower costs thanks to automation If you want, I can help you compare second mortgage options, estimate your equity, or show AI-powered lenders making waves in 2025. Just let me know! tune in and learn at https://www.ddamortgage.com/blog didier malagies nmls#212566 dda mortgage nmls#324329
By Didier Malagies June 12, 2025
The federal bill that seeks to eliminate abusive trigger leads took a major step forward this week, advancing in the U.S. House of Representatives and reigniting hopes across the mortgage industry that it could soon become law. Yes, that's an important development for the mortgage and consumer protection landscape. The federal bill to eliminate abusive trigger leads recently advanced in the U.S. House of Representatives , which is a significant step toward potentially becoming law. Here’s what this means: 🔍 What Are Trigger Leads? When a consumer applies for a mortgage and a credit inquiry is made, credit bureaus can sell that information to other lenders. These are known as trigger leads . While legal, they often result in a flood of unsolicited calls or offers from competing lenders — many of which may be misleading or aggressive. 🏛️ About the Bill The legislation seeks to ban or strictly limit the use of trigger leads unless the consumer explicitly consents. It aims to: Protect consumers from confusing or predatory offers . Curb misleading solicitations that impersonate the original lender. Improve privacy and control over a borrower’s financial data. 🏠 Industry Reaction The mortgage industry and consumer advocacy groups have largely welcomed the move, arguing that trigger leads: Cause consumer confusion. Undermine trust in legitimate lenders. Lead to identity theft or fraud in some cases. 📅 What’s Next? The bill now moves to the Senate , where it will need to pass before reaching the President’s desk. Industry stakeholders are pushing for bipartisan support, noting the broad agreement on consumer protection. 
By Didier Malagies June 9, 2025
We offer 2nd mortgages on primary, secondary, and investment properties we do purchases or refinances on Conventional, FHA, VA, and Non- Qm mortgages, We do Reverse Mortgages, Construction Permanent loans, FHA203k, and Conventional Renovation loans. Let me know how we can help you or someone you know tune in and learn at https://www.ddamortgage.com/blog Didier Malagies nmls#212566 dda mortgage nmls#324329
Show More