Second Quarter 2011 National Housing Survey

Fannie Mae's latest quarterly National Housing Survey (NHS) finds consumer pessimism growing with concerns about job loss and with 64 percent of Americans saying the economy is on the wrong track, the most for any quarter since the inception of the survey in January of 2010. An even more timely read from the July monthly indicators finds 70 percent believe the economy is on the wrong track, and just 23 percent say the economy is heading in the right direction.

The Fannie Mae National Housing Survey polls homeowners and renters to assess their confidence in homeownership as an investment, the current state of their household finances, views on the U.S. housing finance system, and overall confidence in the economy.

The Housing Survey was designed to gain a better understanding of current attitudes toward housing and any differences since previous surveys. Our research helps inform the collective efforts of Fannie Mae and our partners to provide stability for the housing market.

On this webpage you will find a news release with highlights from the survey results, a fact sheet, a presentation with extensive information from the survey, and a podcast providing an audio synopsis of the survey results.

Downloads and Related Links

News Release
Presentation About National Housing Survey (PDF)
Questionnaire (PDF)

Highlights of the Q2 2011 National Housing Survey

• Twenty-six percent of American workers report being concerned about losing their job in the next twelve months. While 44 percent of concerned American workers report having a home mortgage (compared to 42 percent of all Americans), just 33 percent of them perceive their savings to be sufficient (versus 49 percent of those workers not concerned about losing their job).
• Forty-four percent of these workers say their household expenses have increased significantly over the past year, compared to 35 percent of workers not concerned about losing their job.
• Despite just 23 percent of single-family renters saying that renting makes more sense than buying a home, 53 percent say they would continue renting if they were going to move.

Fannie Mae’s Second Quarter 2011 National Housing Survey polled homeowners and renters between April 2011 and June 2011 to assess their attitudes toward owning and renting a home, the current state of their household finances, views on the U.S. housing finance system, and overall confidence in the economy. Findings were compared to similar surveys conducted by Fannie Mae throughout 2010 and in December 2003.

The Housing Survey was designed to gain a better understanding of current attitudes toward housing and any differences since surveys conducted in Fourth Quarter 2010, Third Quarter 2010, June 2010, January 2010, and December 2003. Our research in housing market trends informs the collective efforts of Fannie Mae and our partners to provide stability for the housing market.