Chen Zhao

Chen Zhao is the head of economics research, where she produces research on the housing market for public and internal audiences.

Previously, she was an executive director leading housing finance and financial markets research at the JPMorgan Chase Institute. Prior to joining JPMCI, Chen was an economics consultant at Analysis Group, Inc., where she worked on financial litigation cases and led teams conducting health economics and outcomes research on behalf of pharmaceutical companies.

While in graduate school, Chen was with the Center for Economic Studies and the Social Economic and Housing Statistics Division at the US Census Bureau, where she conducted applied microeconomics research using large scale restricted-access linked survey-administrative data. She started her career at the White House Council of Economic Advisers, where she focused on labor and health economics.

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Most Recent

Redfin Economists’ Weekly Take: Rates Likely to Hold Steady–Unless Fed Meeting or Iran War Rattle Markets

April 27, 2026

This Week In A Nutshell: Mortgage rates are likely to remain fairly steady this week. Upcoming Attractions The key event on the docket this

Redfin Economists’ Weekly Take: All Eyes on Fed Succession as Mortgage-Rate Swings Ease

April 20, 2026

This Week In A Nutshell: Mortgage-rate volatility has moderated as the United States and Iran near a peace agreement, but succession drama at the Federal

Redfin Economists’ Weekly Take: Mortgage Rates Hold Steady, but Iran Ceasefire Talks Keep Risk of Sudden Swings on the Table

April 13, 2026

This Week In A Nutshell: Mortgage rates have been steadier for the last few weeks. But the risk of outsized mortgage moves remains as markets

Fed, Mortgage Rates Likely to Hold Steady on Latest Inflation Report

April 10, 2026

Takeaway: Headline inflation, which includes food and energy prices, spiked in March, but rates won’t move much today because core inflation, which ignores those volatile

Redfin Economists’ Weekly Take: Iran War Drives Mortgage Rate Volatility as Markets Brace for Inflation Data

April 6, 2026

This Week In A Nutshell: With the Iran War stretching into its sixth week, mortgage rates will continue to ebb and flow with new developments.

Seemingly Strong March Jobs Report Won’t Impact Mortgage Rates Much

April 3, 2026

Takeaway: The March jobs report, which is hot on its surface, will not move rates much. The underlying fundamentals of the report are weaker than