Americans Brace for Another Round of Higher Housing Costs, NY Fed Survey Shows

By Jace Dela Cruz

May 07, 2024 03:00 AM EDT

Americans are preparing for another wave of increased housing expenses, with renters expressing heightened doubts about their prospects of owning a house, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. 

New York Urban City

(Photo : Bruce Emmerling from Pixabay)

Americans Brace for Higher Housing Expenses

In its latest Survey of Consumer Expectations, the regional Federal Reserve Bank discovered that respondents anticipated a rise in both rent and home prices in the near term while also bracing for continued high mortgage rates.

According to Reuters, the survey revealed that respondents foresee a significant jump in home prices over the coming year, expecting a 5.1% increase compared to the 2.6% predicted a year earlier. However, the outlook for home prices over a five-year horizon was projected to be 2.7%, from last year's poll of 2.8%.

Respondents predicted a substantial 9.7% increase in rental prices over the next year, marking the second-highest reading in the survey's history - up from 8.2% in the previous year's poll. Respondents foresee rental costs remaining relatively steady in a five-year span, at 5.1%.

READ NEXT: Donald Trump Accuses Fed Chair Jerome Powell of Making Politically Motivated Decisions to Help Democrats  

Dwindling Optimism on Homeownership

The report also highlighted respondents' dwindling optimism about homeownership. A record low number of individuals indicated strong prospects of purchasing a home in the future.

Additionally, respondents expect mortgage rates to continue climbing. The survey indicates forecasts of an average mortgage rate of 8.7% within a year and 9.7% within three years. 

READ MORE: Federal Reserve Poised to Cut Interest Rates 6 Times in 2024 as US Economy Slows Down: ING 

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