Consumer Confidence is on the Rise – What Does that Mean for Housing?

Consumer Confidence is Rising

Fannie Mae released the findings of the recent National Housing Survey this summer. Consumer’s opinions have been continually moving in a positive direction. Some of the positives that indicate Consumer Confidence has been on the rise for the last two years:

The Fannie Mae Home Purchase Sentiment Index® (HPSI) rose this summer to match the same number in February of this year, which was the highest level since December 2000. Several parts of this index include:

• The net share who reported that now is a good time to sell a home reached a new record high, increasing an additional 7 percentage points
• The net share of Americans who say it is a good time to buy a home increased 3 percentage points
• The net share of Americans who say they are not concerned about losing their job fell 5 percentage points
• Consumers are also growing more optimistic about their ability to get a mortgage

Consumer Confidence measures the response to U.S. economic conditions and slightly drives economic conditions. The CCI is reported regularly and is considered an influence on consumer and business behavior.

The CCI has been consistently rising since the Since January 2016, with a score of 98.3. It rose to 111.8 in January 2017, and saw a sharp rise in March to 125.6, which was, like the HPSI mentioned above, the highest level since December 2000. Other indicators from this summer’s CCI report:

• Higher confidence in the direction of the economy
• More have seen an increase in their personal income
• On average, Americans expect home prices to increase over the next 12 months
• The most recent CCI was 122.9 in August.

Fannie Mae has the most detailed survey of its kind, interviewing approximately 1,000 Americans by telephone with over 100 questions used to track attitudinal shifts. The results are compared to the previous month.

The most significant part of the CCI for the last year has been that almost every month, the score has exceeded expectations. The Conference Board forecasts an estimate of the next month’s score.

What Does Consumer Confidence Mean for Real Estate?

The success of the housing market is strongly tied to the consumer’s confidence in the overall economy. “Stronger business and consumer morale typically lead to even more hiring and spending, which in turn encourages more households to make big decisions like buying a home,” says Lawrence Yun, National Association of Realtors® Chief Economist. “Stronger business and consumer morale typically lead to even more hiring and spending, which in turn encourages more households to make big decisions like buying a home,” Yun said.

As measurements like the National Housing Survey and the Consumer Confidence Index reflect consumer’s views and spending and saving habits, these indexes have an effect on the housing market. When Americans feel more positive about the direction of the economy as well as their own personal economic situation, they are free to make solid plans about housing. When first-time buyers are positive about their job stability, they put that confidence into action. There truly is a trickle-up effect, because the first-time buyer often frees up the move-up buyer, and on and on.

Are you feeling positive about your economy? We hope so. If you have been waiting to sell your home in Central Maryland, good news…demand is high. Prices are rising and many homeowners are finding they are “above water” for the first time in a decade. Call us for a consultation if you have been waiting to sell. If you are a first-time buyer or a a move-up buyer, the real estate market is in your favor. We’d love to help you make Frederick home. Chris Highland: 301-401-5119, or contact us with any questions.

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Chris Highland, Broker eXp Realty Maryland
Cell:  301-401-5119  Broker:  888-860-7369