Tag Archives: Household Income

For a litany of reasons—including rising prices and inflation—most consumers surveyed believe that now is not a good time to purchase a home.

While households nationwide continue to struggle with the increased cost of living, doxoINSIGHTS’ 2023 State by State Bill Pay Market Report revealed the average American is spending almost $25,000 per year on household expenses, with 73% of consumers reporting that inflation is currently impacting their ability to pay bills.

“Confidence in the housing market appears to have plateaued at a relatively low level, suggesting that many consumers may be coming to terms with elevated mortgage rates and high home prices,” said Doug Duncan, Fannie Mae SVP and Chief Economist.

“Consumers also indicated that they don’t expect these affordability constraints to improve in the near future, with significant majorities thinking that both home prices and mortgage rates will either increase or remain the same over the next year,” said Mark Palim, Fannie Mae’s VP and Deputy Chief Economist.

The Home Purchase Sentiment Index published monthly by Fannie Mae reported yet another increase to its highest level since May 2022, mainly due to greater consumer optimism about mortgage rates.

First American reports that between September 2022 and October 2022, rose nearly 9% month-over-month, with the rapid annual decline in affordability driven by a 12% annual increase in nominal house prices.

According to First American’s Chief Economist, two major hurdles stand in the way of homebuyers and affordable homes. Click through to find out what those obstacles are.

"The HPSI reached an all-time survey low this month, in line with expectations that the housing market will continue to cool in the months ahead," said Doug Duncan, Fannie Mae SVP and Chief Economist.

Having slowed from recent peaks, house price appreciation in all top 50 markets analyzed in the latest study from First American revealed the housing market is adjusting to the decline in affordability as the hot pandemic sellers’ market transitions in favor of homebuyers.

According to Fannie Mae's Home Purchase Index, the percentage of Americans that believe now is a good time to buy a home decreased alongside those who expect mortgage rates to go down in the next year. Meanwhile, the percentage who say it is a bad time to buy increased to 75%.