Skip to main content

High Rents Serving as Roadblocks to Increasing Homeownership Rate

Feb 13, 2015

Unaffordable rents are making it hard for people to save for downpayments, and they aren't likely to ease up for at least two years, according to the latest Zillow Home Price Expectations Survey sponsored by Zillow Inc. and conducted quarterly by Pulsenomics LLC. More than half (52 percent) of the respondents with an opinion on this issue said the market will correct the nation's soaring rents over time, and no government intervention is required. About one-third (35 percent) of respondents said rising rents are not a problem.

"Solving the rental affordability crisis in this country will require a lot of innovative thinking and hard work, and that has to start at the local level, not the federal level," said Zillow Chief Economist Dr. Stan Humphries. "Housing markets in general and rental dynamics in particular are uniquely local and demand local, market-driven policies. Uncle Sam can certainly do a lot, but I worry we've become too accustomed to automatically seeking federal assistance for housing issues big and small, instead of trusting markets to correct themselves and without waiting to see the impact of decisions made at a local level. Broader federal efforts aimed at increasing real wages and job opportunities will go a long way toward helping renters, but real, lasting solutions to rising rents need to be found locally."

The survey also asked panelists about President Obama's announcement last month aimed at helping middle-class homebuyers through a reduction in FHA mortgage insurance premiums.

Two-thirds (66 percent) of survey respondents with an opinion said they think the changes will be "somewhat effective in making homeownership more accessible and affordable," but almost half (49 percent) said the new initiatives are unwise, unnecessary and potentially risky for taxpayers.

The panelists predicted U.S. home values will rise 4.4 percent in 2015, to a median value of $187,040. The most optimistic forecasted a 5.5 percent increase, while the least optimistic projected a 3.1 percent increase. On average, panelists said they expect median U.S. home values to exceed their pre-recession peak of $196,400 by May 2017.

"During the past year, expectations for annual home value appreciation over the long run have remained flat, despite lower mortgage rates," said Terry Loebs, founder of Pulsenomics. "Regarding the near-term outlook, there is a clear consensus among the experts that the positive momentum in U.S. home prices will continue to slow this year. At 4.4 percent, overall expectations for nationwide home value growth in 2015 are one-third lower than the actual 6.6 percent appreciation rate recorded last year."

About the author
Published
Feb 13, 2015
HUD Freezes Foreclosures On FHA Mortgages In Texas Flood Zone

Kerr County homeowners among hardest hit in disaster that’s claimed more than 100 lives

Jul 09, 2025
Fewer Canadians Hunt For U.S. Property

Largest component of international buyers in U.S. takes more than 25% hit

Jul 08, 2025
Fannie, Freddie Now Allow Lenders To Use VantageScore 4.0

Lenders will keep tri-merge credit scoring model; what this shift means

Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation Announces Rebranding

Now Fairway Home Mortgage, company also donates $1M to support relief efforts in deadly Texas flooding

Jul 07, 2025
FHFA Chief Officially Calls For Investigation Of Federal Reserve Chairman Powell

Alleges Powell lied in testimony to Congress regarding Fed building renovations, says Fed Chair should be fired

BBB Will Impact Homeowners, Buyers

U.S. House and Senate must agree on certain tax, mortgage insurance premium deductions