Int'l Poll: Home Prices to Rise Within 5 Years

An online poll of homeowners in the United States and five European countries found that most believe the value of their home, while not rising this year, will increase within five years. The online Financial Times/Harris Poll found 54% of U.S. respondents joining the majority of respondents from Germany, France, Italy, and Spain in saying that the price of their home will be the same one year from now. Slightly more respondents from Great Britain, 43% vs. 42%, said their home value would remain the same than said it would decline. As for the future, 68% of American homeowners joined 64% of Italian, 57% of Spanish, and 56% of British homeowners who believe their property will increase in value within five years. But 48% of German homeowners said they expect their property value to remain the same. Most respondents were not worried about losing their homes if they could not make their mortgage or rent payments: France, 67%; Germany 62%; U.S., 61%; and Great Britain and Italy, each 55%. In Spain, however, 39% were not concerned, compared with 33% who were somewhat concerned.