NAHB Survey: 82% of Americans Believe Homeownership is a Good Investment • A National Association of Home Builders survey of 2,800 registered U.S. voters released Wednesday found that more than four out of five Americans (82%) believe buying a home is a smart investment. • The survey, conducted by polling firm Morning Consult, also found that 81% of adults younger than 30 want to buy a home, 46% of all respondents believe now is a good time to do so, and 36% plan on purchasing a home within the next three years. • The survey also revealed the reality many potential homeowners face when trying to buy a home, as 55% of respondents said they had trouble finding something affordable, 50% said they didn’t have enough saved for a down payment, and 41% couldn’t get approved for a mortgage. NAHB Chairman Ed Brady said the survey results show that homeownership is still part of the American Dream. Therefore, government agencies, need to implement policies that will promote more homebuilding and protect homeownership, he said. A National Association of Realtors HOME survey released earlier this month found that almost 75% of American households believe it’s a good time to buy a home but that half of young people with student debt don’t want to assume the burden of a mortgage. Housing economists have long cited student debt as a barrier to homeownership. Confirming that sentiment was a June NAR/SALT/ American Student Assistance survey, which found 71% of those who carried student loan debt believed it was keeping them from owning a home. In addition, that survey also found that half of respondents believed their student loan obligations would keep them from buying a home for at least five years. During an NAR legislative event in May, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) emphasized the need for student loan reform, as student debt has created such a major obstacle to homeownership for potential buyers. She said the housing industry should support student loan reform if it wants “to see more young people live the dream of homeownership.” Propane and Natural Gas Products! Connecticut’s largest family owned Propane company with over 350,000 gallons of storage, HOCON GAS has a reputation for delivering propane energy and industry expertise for more than 60 years! Pete “Propane Pete” Battaglio with over 33 years of experience Sr. Regional Sales Manager Hocon Gas, Inc. • 6 Armstrong Road Shelton, CT 06484 Office: 203.402.7800 • Fax: 203.944.0300 Cell: 203.343.2199 Email: pbattaglio@hocongas.com www.hocongas.com NORWALK 33 Rockland Rd. (203) 853-1500 WATERBURY 20 Railroad Hill St. (203) 754-7601 12| HBRA of Fairfield County |August 2016 GUILFORD 736 Boston Post Rd. (203) 458-2790 DANBURY 86 Payne Rd. (203) 744-4000 TORRINGTON 2407 Winsted Rd. (860) 626-0900 Copyright © Hocon • HOD#726-30
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