Want To Buy A Home? So Does Nearly Everyone Else

According to Fannie Mae's latest Housing Survey, 80 percent of those polled believe that homeownership is important to the economy and two-thirds of Americans want to own their own home.

And The Housing Survey Says...

"Despite the recent downturn in the housing sector, Americans continue to value homeownership and think about their homes in ways that go much deeper than the financial investment. The public also strongly believes in the importance of upholding the financial commitment involved in buying and owning a home, even during these challenging times when home values have fallen."

• 64 percent of respondents said now is a good time to buy a house and 31 percent said now is a very good time to buy;
• 70 percent said homes continue to be one of the safest investments one can make;
• 65 percent prefer owning a home to renting one. (Is being a renter so bad? Apparently homeowners think so, while the survey found that 79 percent of renters are perfectly happy renting.)
• 90 percent of respondents are satisfied with the terms of their mortgage, but Americans with 30-year fixed-rate mortgages are more satisfied than homeowners with other types of mortgages. (I know I'm very happy with my 15-year fixed-rate loan at 4.25 percent.)
• 60 percent of respondents (renters and homeowners) believe it is harder for them to get a mortgage today than it was for their parents.
• 68 percent believe it will be harder for their children to get a mortgage and buy a home than it is for them. (Which is bad news for all those Gen-Ys out there.)

Read More:

• Housing Market Predictions for 2010: How Good Will It Get?
• Prefabulous+Sustainable: Why Prefab Green Homes Are The Future Of Home Building
• 3 Reasons Why Now Is The Best Time To Buy A Home
• Tax Credit Daze: Why It Might Take Months To Get Your Home Buyer Tax Credit Cash
• Tax Credits For Making Your Home Energy Efficient
• Are You In Loan Modification Hell? Join The Club
• 2010 Will Start With Strong Home Sales. But What Happens After The Home Buyer Tax Credits End?
• Jon+Kate Plus 8 Finally Sell Their Starter Home
  

Ilyce Glink

Ilyce R. Glink is an award-winning, nationally-syndicated columnist, best-selling book author and founder of Best Money Moves, an employee benefit program that helps reduce financial stress. She also owns ThinkGlink.com, where readers can find real estate and personal finance resources.

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