Two-Thirds of Consumers Still Value Homeownership
Two-Thirds of Consumers Still Value Homeownership
The worst housing crisis in generations and the slow rebound back to normalcy has not changed the view of homeownership for two-thirds (67 percent) of Americans according to a new poll on housing from NeighborWorks America a community development nonprofit organization.
Meanwhile renters have not been swayed to purchase a home despite near-record low mortgage rates and a general decline in home prices. According to the poll 55 percent are not considering homeownership while 42 percent of renters are considering it.
But confidence in knowing when it is the best time to buy a home runs high. Nearly 70 percent of Americans said that they were confident (46 percent very confident) in their ability to know when it is the right time to purchase a home suggesting that there is a broad set of information available to help buyers make a good decision for what is usually the largest financial choice most will make in their lifetime.
In fact the NeighborWorks America survey found that 88 percent of consumers ranked owning a home as an important part of the American Dream with 61 percent who said it is either the most important part or a very important part.
But while the overall view of homeownership has not been changed by the housing crisis the poll found dramatic differences between current homeowners and renters. The poll found that 63 percent of renters are more likely to rent their next home because of the housing crisis while only 25 percent of homeowners would choose renting their next home.
A critical point identified in the survey is that whatever the housing choice having a quality and affordable home matters to people; homeownership is not linked to a person identifying himself as successful. Specifically the poll found that 55 percent of consumers said that they would still feel successful if they never owned a home.
The Housing Crisis and Consumer Preparedness
But the poll did reveal tension among consumers as they are more polarized when it comes to being prepared to purchase a home. While nearly half of Americans (48 percent) said that they were more prepared today to buy a home than five years ago 40 percent said that they were less prepared.
The poll showed that there are a variety of obstacles to homeownership and that these obstacles are driven largely by personal economics including lack of job security (14 percent) and lack of a down payment (13 percent). Americans were less likely to believe that weak or bad credit (7 percent) was holding them back from buying a home.
Attitudes Around Renting
Although mortgage rates are extremely low and home prices well off their peaks from five years ago creating a largely affordable home purchase environment renters generally are not thinking about buying a home today. According to the poll 55 percent are not considering homeownership while 42 percent of renters are considering homeownership.
The poll results provide a window into how renters feel about their communities and their neighbors. According to the poll 81 percent of renters said that they were as committed to their community and home as much as if they were homeowners. Moreover the consensus among homeowners and renters is that a community is not hurt when people who rent move in. A majority (51 percent) disagree that neighborhoods are hurt when renters move in compared with 43 percent who believe that renters hurt neighborhoods.
Source: NeighborWorks America
Reprinted with permission from RISMedia. �2013. All rights reserved.
Meanwhile renters have not been swayed to purchase a home despite near-record low mortgage rates and a general decline in home prices. According to the poll 55 percent are not considering homeownership while 42 percent of renters are considering it.
But confidence in knowing when it is the best time to buy a home runs high. Nearly 70 percent of Americans said that they were confident (46 percent very confident) in their ability to know when it is the right time to purchase a home suggesting that there is a broad set of information available to help buyers make a good decision for what is usually the largest financial choice most will make in their lifetime.
In fact the NeighborWorks America survey found that 88 percent of consumers ranked owning a home as an important part of the American Dream with 61 percent who said it is either the most important part or a very important part.
But while the overall view of homeownership has not been changed by the housing crisis the poll found dramatic differences between current homeowners and renters. The poll found that 63 percent of renters are more likely to rent their next home because of the housing crisis while only 25 percent of homeowners would choose renting their next home.
A critical point identified in the survey is that whatever the housing choice having a quality and affordable home matters to people; homeownership is not linked to a person identifying himself as successful. Specifically the poll found that 55 percent of consumers said that they would still feel successful if they never owned a home.
The Housing Crisis and Consumer Preparedness
But the poll did reveal tension among consumers as they are more polarized when it comes to being prepared to purchase a home. While nearly half of Americans (48 percent) said that they were more prepared today to buy a home than five years ago 40 percent said that they were less prepared.
The poll showed that there are a variety of obstacles to homeownership and that these obstacles are driven largely by personal economics including lack of job security (14 percent) and lack of a down payment (13 percent). Americans were less likely to believe that weak or bad credit (7 percent) was holding them back from buying a home.
Attitudes Around Renting
Although mortgage rates are extremely low and home prices well off their peaks from five years ago creating a largely affordable home purchase environment renters generally are not thinking about buying a home today. According to the poll 55 percent are not considering homeownership while 42 percent of renters are considering homeownership.
The poll results provide a window into how renters feel about their communities and their neighbors. According to the poll 81 percent of renters said that they were as committed to their community and home as much as if they were homeowners. Moreover the consensus among homeowners and renters is that a community is not hurt when people who rent move in. A majority (51 percent) disagree that neighborhoods are hurt when renters move in compared with 43 percent who believe that renters hurt neighborhoods.
Source: NeighborWorks America
Reprinted with permission from RISMedia. �2013. All rights reserved.
