The results are compared to a similar survey conducted by Fannie Mae from December 2009 to January 2010 and posted in April 2010, and a similar survey conducted in 2003.
The survey found that Americans have a mixed outlook for housing; they believe that the housing market is declining, but they are more wary about owning a home.• Nearly half (47 percent) think that home prices will remain steady over the next year while nearly one-third (31 percent) think prices will go up.
• 70 percent think this is a good time to buy a house, compared with 64 percent in a similar survey that Fannie Mae conducted last January. But 33 percent said they would be more likely to rent their next home if they were to move -- up from 30 percent in the January survey.
• A great part of those surveyed (67 percent) continue to believe that housing is a safe investment. That number, however, is down by 16 percentage points from a similar survey that Fannie Mae conducted seven years ago. The current survey finds that more than 70 percent believe it will be harder for their children to buy a home, up three points since January.
These findings indicate the return of a more balanced and realistic approach to housing. This approach may weigh on the housing recovery in the near-term, but over time, it should help to build a stronger and healthier market focused on sustainable homeownership.
With this survey, I do want to point out that the DFW real estate market has remained strong even when you factor in the Dallas Foreclosure rates.
