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National Housing Survey/Home Purchase Sentiment Index (HPSI)

June 2012 National Housing Survey Monthly Indicators

June 1, 2012
Americans' Optimism About the Economy and Personal Finances Stalling Despite Underlying Continued Confidence in the Housing Market; Consumer Attitudes Demonstrative of Macroeconomic Indicators

Housing market confidence among Americans continues to trend in a positive direction despite stalling optimism about the economy and personal finances, according to results from Fannie Mae’s June 2012 National Housing Survey. Results indicate flattening economic trends may be contributing to waning consumer expectations about their personal financial situation. Nevertheless, Americans’ continued positive sentiment about housing appears to remain buoyed by low house prices and interest rates at historically low levels.

Monthly Housing Survey

"While consumers remain cautious about the general economy, their attitudes toward the housing market continue to improve," said Doug Duncan, senior vice president and chief economist of Fannie Mae. "Although this positive trend may be short-lived if the general economy falters, one might ask whether consumers are increasingly seeing the current environment as a unique opportunity to buy a home while home prices remain depressed, rental costs are increasing, and interest rates are near historic lows."

Fannie Mae's monthly national consumer attitudinal survey report provides indicators offering a window into the opinions of Americans across the country. These behavioral insights convey what consumers think about the outlook for owning and renting a home and about their household finances, and may serve as key inputs for determining the future course of investment across housing types.

On this webpage you will find a news release with highlights from the survey results, the June 2012 Data Release highlighting eleven consumer attitudinal indicators, and a podcast containing highlights from this month's survey.

Downloads and Related Links
News Release
June 2012 National Housing Survey Data Release (PDF)
Podcast – May National Housing Survey (.mp3)