Realtor Sentiment Survey
Fourth Quarter 2016: Indiana Realtors Indicate that Strong Demand and Low Inventory Continuing Into Winter Months.
A tight supply of homes for sale and the presidential election were certainly on the minds of many Realtors this fall, as more survey respondents identified inventory (30 percent of respondents) and politics (10 percent) as important factors affecting the housing market than in any previous editions of this survey. As always, however, Indiana Realtors list mortgage rates (58 percent) and the economy/consumer confidence (42 percent) as the key drivers of the market, according to the Indiana Association of REALTORS® Sentiment Survey for the fourth quarter.
As further evidence that inventory is a concern for Realtors, 50 percent of survey respondents stated that seller traffic was weaker than average so far this fall. At the same time, 88 percent of Realtors responded that buyer traffic was either average or above average for this time of year. Many Realtors expect the market to begin to even out some, however. Sixty-three percent of respondents stated that the market will either improve for buyers or will be neutral over the next three to six months.
Note: This survey is conducted by the Indiana Association of REALTORS® and the Indiana Business Research Center. All survey respondents are members of the Indiana Association of REALTORS®. View the archives page to access other releases.
Survey Results
How would you characterize the level of buyer traffic for single-family homes over the past 30 days?
N=539
Values above 50 indicate traffic is viewed as stronger than average.
How would you characterize the level of seller traffic for listing single-family homes over the past 30 days?
N=539
Values above 50 indicate traffic is viewed as stronger than average.
Compared to one year ago, is your number of pending sales:
N=536
Values above 50 indicate pending sales are higher.
Over the past 30 days, is the time for a home staying on the market until it is sold:
N=540
Values above 50 indicate length of time is increasing.
Over the next 3 to 6 months, do you think that single-family home prices will:
N=524
Values above 50 indicate prices are expected to increase.
Over the next 3 to 6 months, do you think that single-family home sales volume will be:
N=523
Values above 50 indicate volume is expected to be strong for the time of year. (Note: Question wording changed in 2014 Q4.)
Over the next 3 to 6 months, do you see the market:
N=525
Values above 50 indicate the market is expected to improve for buyers.
What do you think are the most important factors driving the residential real estate market currently and/or in the future?
N=423