RISMEDIA, March 14, 2011—The majority of America’s potential homebuyers and sellers—68 percent—believe that the real estate market and property values will recover in the next year or two, according to a survey released recently by Prudential Real Estate and Relocation Services, Inc., a Prudential Financial, Inc. [NYSE:PRU] company.
This exceeds the 47 percent of Americans who expected house prices would rise in a similar survey conducted in April 2010, underscoring a more bullish outlook for the real estate market today.
In addition, 86 percent of Americans believe real estate is a good investment despite the market volatility of the past few years. The Prudential Real Estate Outlook Survey of 1,253 Americans between the ages of 25-64 in the market for buying a home was conducted Jan. 20-27, 2011.
The survey reveals that six in 10 respondents are more interested in buying real estate (58%) and are optimistic about buying given the momentum of the economic recovery (59%). It also shows that although the price of many Americans’ homes declined during the recession, 89 percent recognize they can also buy a new house at a lower price.
“This survey clearly demonstrates that Americans continue to be optimistic about the real estate market and believe that home prices will rise,” said James Mallozzi, chief executive officer of Prudential Real Estate and Relocation Services, Inc. “A key take away from the survey is although consumers recognize that it is a good time to buy, they are concerned about their ability to sell their homes. This is one of the reasons the market is still struggling to recover.”
For those on the fence about buying, uncertainty about selling an existing home (77 percent), concern about getting a fair price for the home (67 percent) and emotions (58 percent) are holding them back. For those who have sold homes in the past year, despite the down market 78 percent report that they were satisfied with the sale. Of these, 32 percent were very satisfied with the final price of their home and 46 percent were grateful they were able to sell given market conditions. A relatively small number, 22 percent, indicated that they were disappointed or resentful about the price they received for their home.
The survey highlighted Americans’ interest in trading up their homes. Of the 45 percent looking to trade up, 64 percent wanted more space or property, 49 percent a nicer house and 41 percent a better neighborhood. Only 21 percent surveyed said they were looking to scale down, and 34 percent said that they wanted a similar home.
The survey highlighted the importance of getting the right price in today’s market —74 percent of buyers believe that many homes could meet their needs and that price is a significant differentiator, while 26 percent stated that they were willing to pay top of market for a home that specifically suits their needs. In setting the right price, however, sellers were split—with 53 percent wanting to price right at or slightly below market to attract more bids and 47 percent wanting to price slightly higher than market and hoping to find a buyer willing to pay more.
The majority of respondents highlighted the importance of real estate agents in the process of buying or selling their home. Seventy-five percent of those surveyed said that an agent is very important or essential to this process, with only 24 percent saying agents are helpful but not imperative.
“Americans continue to see real estate agents as having a very important role in helping them price, buy and sell their homes,” added Mallozzi. “Although the data underscores the value real estate agents provide, it also shows that the industry needs to continue to work hard to meet clients’ unique needs.”
The Prudential Real Estate Outlook Survey was conducted online. The margin of error is +/- 3 percent. A more detailed breakdown of the data is available, as well as supporting charts and visuals, at www.news.prudential.com.
The survey results were also presented at Prudential Real Estate Affiliates’ (PREA’s) 2011 Prudential Sales Convention held in San Diego, CA last week. Company President Earl Lee addressed attendees there, echoing the survey statistics and stressing the importance of homeownership.
“Over the past four years we have fought, persevered and overcame because we believe in homeownership,” Lee said. “Consumers have incredible opportunities now. We are moving to a better time and people are spending more money.”
He also noted the NAR housing affordability index is “at an all-time high, but we aren’t out of the woods yet.” He added that while consumers are focusing on their monthly spend rather than overall home prices, “there are golden opportunities for buyers today that won’t last. Consumers believe that the brighter days in real estate are still years ahead, but they believe that real estate is a good investment. Homeownership is still essential and real estate is an economic keystone.”
Mallozzi also introduced “Nextwork,” an online virtual community for Prudential agents where they will be able to access coaching programs, coach others, share referrals, ideas and more.
“Nextwork is going to take Prudential to a whole, new level and offer a new way to challenge ourselves by seeing what’s next and what works,” he said. “It will offer a fresh perspective and tie the network together.”
The company also released this year’s list of Gibraltar Circle recipients. The Gibraltar Circle Award is presented to the Top 50 companies in the Prudential Real Estate Affiliate Network. Here is a list of this year’s awardees:
1. Prudential Douglas Elliman
2. Prudential California- Southern California and Central Coast
3. Prudential Fox & Roach
4. Prudential Connecticut
5. Prudential Florida Realty
6. Prudential Rubloff Properties- Chicago
7. Prudential California- Yorba Linda
8. Prudential Home Sale Services Group
9. Prudential Americana
10. Prudential Gary Greene
11. Prudential Georgia
12. Prudential Carolinas Realty, Prudential York Simpson, Prudential Underwood Realty
13. Prudential California-Cerritas Ca
14. Prudential Utah-Park City
15. Prudential Carruthers
16. Prudential Sussex- N. Vancouver
17. Prudential Location, LLC-Honolulu
18. Prudential New Jersey
19. Prudential Northwest
20. Prudential Preferred-PA
21. Prudential Towne Realty
22. Prudential Kansas City Realty
23. Prudential Gardner
24. Prudential Jack White/Vista RE
25. Prudential Arizona Properties- Scottsdale
26. Prudential Northwest-Seattle
27. Prudential Tropical- Tampa Bay
28. Prudential Preferred- MI
29. Prudential Ambassador- NE
30. Prudential C. Dan Joyner
31. Prudential Select- St. Louis
32. Prudential Alliance
33. Prudential California-Thousand Oaks
34. Prudential Verani Realty
35. Prudential RE Professionals
36. Prudential Texas-Dallas
37. Prudential Network
38. Prudential California- Modesto
39. Prudential Town Center-Ontario
40. Prudential Montana RE
41. Prudential Better Homes-Albany
42. Prudential Palms
43. Prudential Stark Realtors
44. Prudential California- Torrence
45. Prudential Dinning-Beard
46. Prudential Indiana Realty Group
47. Prudential California- Chula Vista
48. Prudential Utah Elite RE
49. Prudential Serls Prime
50. Prudential Zack ShoresFor more information about the company, visit Prudential Real Estate Affiliates.
Kara Stripay, vice president, sales, contributed to this report.
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