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National Housing Survey/Home Purchase Sentiment Index (HPSI)

Consumer Attitudes Continue Positive Incremental Trend Despite Slow Job Growth; Home Price Expectations and Share of Americans Who Think it is a Good Time to Sell Their Home Continue to Increase

April 1, 2012

Despite slow job growth, Americans’ attitudes about homeownership, the economy, and personal finances continue to move incrementally in a positive direction, according to results from Fannie Mae’s April 2012 National Housing Survey. The continued stabilization of consumer attitudes coupled with growth in areas such as home price expectations, whether it is a good time to sell one’s home, direction of the economy, and the percentage of Americans who saw an increase in their personal income indicate an alignment of factors that may influence Americans’ decision making about purchasing a home.

Monthly Housing Survey

"This month's survey shows a continued gradual improvement in consumer sentiment and outlook for home prices," said Doug Duncan, vice president and chief economist of Fannie Mae. "After flatlining at depressed levels for over a year, a growing share of consumers indicate that it is a good time to sell, suggesting rising optimism for the housing market. Overall, consumer views of housing market conditions have become more supportive of home purchases, and sustained healthy hiring is required to help realize these improved expectations. Friday's report of a second consecutive setback in job creation supports the view that the housing recovery will remain uneven this year."

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 and the April 2012 Data Release highlighting eleven consumer attitudinal indicators.

Downloads and Related Links
News Release
April 2012 National Housing Survey Data Release (PDF)