Momentum in Consumer Housing Confidence Slows

WASHINGTON, DC – The Fannie Mae Home Purchase Sentiment Index® (HPSI) fell 1.6 points in June to 90.7 after reaching new survey highs in April and May. The decline can be attributed to decreases in four of the six HPSI components. The net share of respondents who said now is a good time to buy a home remained unchanged in June. However, the net share who reported that now is a good time to sell a home increased 1 percentage point month over month. Americans expressed a decreased sense of job security, with the net share who say they are not concerned about losing their job falling 2 percentage points this month. Additionally, the net share reporting that their income is significantly higher than it was 12 months ago decreased 2 percentage points in June. Finally, the net share of consumers who said mortgage rates will go down over the next 12 months fell 4 percentage point this month, while the net share who said home prices will go up in the next 12 month decreased 3 percentage points.

“After several years of steadily climbing, HPSI’s slowing upward trend suggests the index may be reaching a plateau,” said Doug Duncan, senior vice president and chief economist at Fannie Mae. “Tight supply and lackluster income growth continue to weigh on housing activity, and consumer expectations for home price growth over the next 12 months have moderated. However, consumers expressed increased optimism about the direction of the economy and their personal financial situations over the next 12 months, with both measures matching previous survey highs this month.”

On this webpage you will find a news release with highlights from the HPSI and NHS results, the latest Data Release highlighting the consumer attitudinal indicators, month-over-month key indicator data, an overview and white paper about the HPSI, technical notes providing in-depth information about the NHS methodology, the questionnaire used for the survey, and a comparative assessment of Fannie Mae’s National Housing Survey and other consumer surveys.

Downloads and Related Links

News Release
June 2018 National Housing Survey Data Release (PDF)