Consumer Attitude Measures - Home Purchase Sentiment Index Moves Up in 2015, Returns to 83.2 in December

HPSI Closes Year on Positive Note Driven by Reported Income Growth

Fannie Mae's Home Purchase Sentiment Index^™ (HPSI) increased 2.4 points to 83.2 in December, capping off its strongest year thus far, as Americans’ household income prospects bounced back to levels of three months ago. The share of consumers who reported that their income was significantly higher than it was 12 months ago climbed 9 percentage points on net in December, while those who were unconcerned about losing their job rose 3 percentage points on net. Coupled with an improved financial outlook, more consumers said they believe now is a good time to sell a home – climbing 4 percentage points on net – although the share who believe now is a good time to buy remained flat in December.

“Consumers ended the year on an improved note with regard to their income, job security, and overall economic outlook. This more positive consumer sentiment brought the HPSI up a few points, moving the index up for all of 2015,” said Doug Duncan, senior vice president and chief economist at Fannie Mae. “Brightening economic prospects, if sustained, should stimulate demand for homeownership. However, continuing upward pressure on rental prices and constrained housing supply, particularly for starter homes, may mean prospective first-time homebuyers could face affordability constraints.”

On this webpage you will find a news release with highlights from the HPSI and NHS results and the latest Data Release highlighting the consumer attitudinal indicators.

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