Skip to main content

Trulia Survey Finds 78 Percent of Homeowners Feel Home Purchase is Their Top Investment

Feb 10, 2011

Trulia.com has released the results of its biannual American Dream Survey, which has tracked American attitudes towards homeownership since 2009. Harris Interactive conducted this online survey on Trulia’s behalf in January 2011 among 2,079 U.S. adults aged 18 and over. Although foreclosures and underwater homes continue to plague the current housing market, 70 percent of Americans still view homeownership as being part of their American Dream. In fact, more than three out of four homeowners (78 percent) say their homes are the best investment they ever made. Conversely, only 20 percent feel trapped in their “underwater” homes while 14 percent said they would walk away from their homes in a heartbeat if they could. “Contrary to popular belief, the American Dream of homeownership has not turned into an American nightmare. In fact, we’re seeing a national resurgence of buyer and seller activity on Trulia.com,” said Pete Flint, chief executive officer of Trulia. “In January alone, we experienced an unprecedented level of site traffic including 11 million unique visitors—which is more than 70 percent year-over-year growth. We’ve seen leads to agents increase 60 percent year over year and are now experiencing 100,000 property views per minute.” Although many of today’s young adults came of age during the housing crash, more than one in four (26 percent) say their views on owning a home have become more positive over the past six months. With 88 percent of 18-34 year old renters aspiring to be homeowners, this new generation of buyers will likely play a crucial role in stabilizing today’s uncertain real estate market. "Although the American Dream of homeownership remains surprisingly strong, it will not be an immediate reality for most people,” said Tara-Nicholle Nelson, consumer educator for Trulia. “Uncertainty has caused most would-be buyers across the nation to play a waiting game with the market, leading them to put their home purchases on hold for at least two years. However, new data shows that most renters in the South and West have long-term plans to buy, which is great news for America’s hardest-hit regions.” For more information, visit www.trulia.com.  
About the author
Published
Feb 10, 2011
About $18.6 Million Severance Payout For First American Ex-CEO Kenneth DeGiorgio

Rather than a brusque exit, high-performer DeGiorgio eligible to catch a soft breeze off into the horizon

Apr 23, 2025
New VantageScore Credit Model Aims To Boost Predictive Performance

Also, company’s pilot program gives nonprofit lenders access to modern credit scoring while helping them maintain sound lending practices

Apr 22, 2025
Mortgage Women Leadership Council Breaks 500-Member Benchmark

Becomes nation’s largest organization for women in the industry

Apr 21, 2025
Tug-Of-War Continues Between President Trump, Fed Chair Powell Over Rate Cuts

President’s April 17 social media post expresses growing impatience with Federal Reserve Board not cutting rates

Apr 18, 2025
Mortgage Insurance Premium Tax Write-Off Back On The Table

Bipartisan bill would restore, expand expired MIP deduction, aiming to ease homeownership costs for millions

Apr 15, 2025
FBI Boston Warns Of Growing Title Fraud

Fraudsters forging documents to sell properties or take out mortgages on them, FBI says

Apr 14, 2025