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National Housing Survey/Home Purchase Sentiment Index (HPSI)

Americans' Outlook on Housing Continues to Inch Forward Despite Dip in Overall Economic Confidence

August 1, 2012

Consumer sentiment regarding the housing market continues its modestly positive trend, according to results from Fannie Mae’s August 2012 National Housing Survey. Supported by the expectation that home prices will rise in the next year and more saying it is a good time to sell, Americans have maintained a cautious but improving view of the housing market and homeownership. However, their stalling household financial expectations and declining economic optimism will likely mean the rate at which the housing market recovers will remain tempered.

Monthly Housing Survey

“Consumer attitudes toward the housing market remain modestly positive, despite signs of increased concern over the direction of the economy,” said Doug Duncan, senior vice president and chief economist of Fannie Mae. “While the latest results showed a pickup in the share of consumers expecting mortgage rates to rise, reflecting the uptrend of long-term interest rates since mid-July, that may soon change. Friday’s disappointing jobs report underpins the gradual nature of this year's housing recovery and supports our view that the muted economic recovery is still subject to downside risk and that additional Fed easing will soon be forthcoming.”

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 August 2012 Data Release highlighting 11 consumer attitudinal indicators, and a podcast containing highlights from this month’s survey.

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