Fannie Mae’s monthly Home Purchase Sentiment Index is based on a survey of Americans that asks participants whether they think it’s a good time to buy or sell a home, whether they think home prices and mortgage rates will rise or fall over the next year, and how secure they feel in their job and income. In August, the index saw a 0.6 percent increase from the month before, mostly due to rising optimism about mortgage rates and home prices. Mark Palim, Fannie Mae’s vice president and deputy chief economist, says overall sentiment remained steady. “On a national level, housing sentiment was largely unchanged in August despite some positive developments for affordability, including a meaningful decline in actual mortgage rates and an uptick in home listings in certain markets, particularly in the Sunbelt,” Palim said. It’s true. The share of respondents who said it’s a good time to buy was relatively flat, falling just 1 percent from the month before, while the share who said it’s a good time to sell remained unchanged month-over-month. (source)
