Study: The Time is Right to Buy and Sell Houses – NMP Skip to main content

Study: The Time is Right to Buy and Sell Houses

Sep 23, 2019
Photo credit: Getty Images/MangoStar_Studio

A new survey released by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) found more than half of Americans believe that now is a good time to buy or sell a home.
 
The survey, which was conducted from July through earlier this month, polled 2,705 households. Sixty-three percent of respondents stated that that now is a good time for a home purchase, while 34 percent of those respondents added they strongly believed that sentiment. On the seller side, 74 percent of those polled said that now is a good time to sell a home, with 45 percent of those respondents adding they “strongly” believed that opinion and the remaining 29 percent saying they hold that belief “moderately.”
 
“Mortgage rates are at historically low levels, so I see no sign of the optimism about home buying fading,” said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. “However, the fact that slightly fewer are expressing strong intensity compared to recent prior quarters is implying some would-be buyers have concerns about the direction of the economy.”
 
Respondents were also questioned about their outlook toward the U.S. economy, with 52 percent of those surveyed stating believed the U.S. economy is improving. Millennials, however, were split on that question, with 49 percent saying the economy is improving and 51 percent saying it is not improving. Forty percent of those in urban areas also believed the economy is improving, while 62 percent of respondents in rural areas shared that belief.
A new survey released by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) found more than half of Americans believe that now is a good time to buy or sell a home

 
About the author
Published
Sep 23, 2019
Strong Jobs Report Threatens Mortgage Rate Rally

October hiring more than doubled expectations, pushing Treasury yields higher

Nov 06, 2026
Fed Holds Rates, But Pricing Pressures Persist

Rising Treasury yields and fresh inflation data complicate rate locks, borrower qualification, and lender margins as markets anticipate another hike in December

Oct 29, 2026
Zippy Adds Capital For Manufactured-Home Lending Push

The $20 million investment from Saluda Grade will support expansion beyond 27 states and new loan products across wholesale, retail, and community channels

Oct 16, 2026
Inflation Hits 3.7%, Putting Mortgage Rate Relief At Risk

September’s inflation pickup puts recent rate improvements at risk, potentially eroding affordability gains from lower home prices and seller concessions

Oct 14, 2026
PLACE Acquires Ardley, Expanding Push To Turn Existing Borrowers Into New Loans

The latest deal connects borrower retention technology with Maxwell's origination platform and PLACE's real estate network, creating new opportunities for lenders

Oct 09, 2026
Equifax, TransUnion Launch New Tools To Cut Credit Report Costs

Both bureaus introduce ways to purchase credit scores separately from reports, while Equifax reports growing VantageScore adoption and extends $1 pricing through 2028

Oct 09, 2026