Fannie Mae: Mixed Results in Home Purchase Sentiment Index

(Image courtesy of Fannie Mae; Breakout image courtesy of Gene Samit/pexels.com)

Fannie Mae released its April 2025 National Housing Survey, including the Home Purchase Sentiment Index. The HPSI increased 1.1 points from March to 69.2, but remains down by 2.7 points year-over-year.

Twenty-three percent of respondents believe that it’s currently a good time to buy a home, with 77% of respondents saying it’s a bad time. On the other hand, 58% say it’s a good time to sell a home, and 41% say it’s a bad time.

Nearly half–or 44%–of respondents believe that home prices will go up over the next year, with 23% of the opinion they’ll go down.

Looking at specific pricing expectations, respondents expect home prices to increase 2.2% on average over the next year. They also believe rental prices will increase 6.4% on average over the next year, with two-thirds of consumers saying they think home rental prices will go up.

Of the respondents, 26% believe that mortgage rates will go down, with 36% reporting expectations they’ll go up over that period.

Three-quarters (74%) of respondents are not concerned about job loss over the next year, while 25% are concerned. And, 20% believe their household income will get significantly higher over the next year, with 8% saying it will get significantly lower.

Sixty-five percent of respondents said if they have to move they’ll buy a home, but 54% said getting a mortgage would be difficult.