AD Mortgage
Research Hub
Research Hub
See how the insights from our team's studies can help streamline your processes and understand your borrowers better.
U.S. Real Estate Investment Opportunities by State
- South Carolina ranks #1 for Growth
- Idaho ranks #1 for Income; North Dakota for Fundamentals
- A state-by-state study of investment conditions
Affordability
Does the Perfect Time to Buy Exist?
Buying now beat waiting two years in 61% of historical scenarios
The buy-now advantage reached 74% in California and Florida
A 23-year analysis of buying now versus waiting 2 years 
Human Skills
in an AI World
in an AI World
- 82% expect AI and automation to drive industry change
- 82% rank relationship building and communication as a top skill
- A survey on skills that mortgage professionals will need in 2027
US Down Payment Affordability
- Jackson, MS has the shortest saving timeline at 5.7 years
- The 10 most accessible cities require roughly 6.0-8.5 years of saving
- A study of how long it takes to save for a down payment across 250 US cities
Affordability
Credit Score vs.
Mortgage Cost Study
Mortgage Cost Study
A 760 FICO can save up to $45K in mortgage interest
Reaching 760 can take from under 1 year to 4 years
An analysis of potential mortgage savings from a higher credit score 
Technology in the Mortgage Industry
- 55% use AI regularly or daily
- 83% feel comfortable adopting new technology
- A survey on AI, technology adoption, and digital readiness
Affordability
The 10-Year Rent vs. Buy Wealth Study
Buying wins in nearly 80% of cities, even when renters invest their savings
In 26 markets, buying is cheaper than renting even on a monthly basis
A 10-year comparison of buying vs. renting and investing across 250 U.S. cities 
Middle-Class Access
to Housing
to Housing
- The home price-to-income ratio rose from 3.05 to 5.27
- A typical down payment now exceeds one year of household income
- A long-term analysis of middle-class access to homeownership
Mortgage Market
Non-QM Fuels Mortgage Industry in 2026
74.5% report growth in Non-QM volume over the past 3 years
88.4% expect Non-QM volume to continue growing
A survey on Non-QM demand, products, borrowers, and outlook 
Mortgage Market
Mortgage Professionals Pulse Report & 2026 Outlook
84.5% expect their business to grow in 2026
Nearly 70% say 2025 was better for business than 2024
A survey on 2025 performance, market challenges, and expectations for 2026 