High housing costs are changing the way Americans make homebuying and lifestyle decisions, according to a recent survey sponsored by the National Association of Realtors(r). According to participants polled last month, the high cost of housing has affected the condition and size of the home families can afford, if they can afford to buy one at all.

Sixty percent of those who are very concerned with housing costs strongly agree that "the cost of housing may force me to buy an older home rather than a newer home," while 56 percent said "the cost of housing may force me to buy a smaller home than we need." On the other hand, the housing market has forced many families to stay put, with 44 percent saying that "the cost of housing has forced me to rent rather than buy" and 38 percent agreeing that "the cost of housing has forced me to remodel rather than buy a new home."

High housing costs have also contributed to a stressed, suburban lifestyle where families have to work more, sacrifice leisure time, move farther away, or live in areas with fewer good schools or a higher crime rate. Nearly seven in 10 participants said they're being forced to work more or sacrifice to afford their current home, with 63 percent agreeing that "the cost of housing is forcing my spouse or members of my family to work more to meet mortgage costs" and 62 percent agreeing that "cost of housing may force me to make sacrifices in lifestyle and leisure time."

Fifty-one percent said that "the cost of housing may prevent me from living in an area with better schools" and 49 percent strongly agree that "the cost of housing may force members of my family to move further away." In addition, 48 percent said "the cost of housing is placing stress on my family meeting mortgage costs" and 45 percent agree that "the cost of housing may prevent me from living in a safer neighborhood."

"This survey illustrates that Americans are worried about the high cost of buying or owning a home for their family. Housing affordability issues are driving not only the housing market, but important lifestyle decisions as well, such as where to live and work. As Realtors(r), we're working with communities around the country to stimulate more affordable housing and close the homeownership gap. We're committed to helping every American afford his or her own home," said NAR President Martin Edwards Jr., a partner in Colliers Wilkinson & Snowden Inc. of Memphis, Tenn.

Although the high cost of housing is a problem nationwide, people in the Western and Plains states are feeling it more acutely. Fifty-two percent of respondents in the Farm Belt (Iowa, Kan., Mo., Neb., N.D., S.D.), Mountain (Ariz., Colo., Idaho, Mont., Nev., N.M., Utah, Wyo.) and Pacific (Calif., Ore., Wash.) regions each agree that "the cost of housing may prevent me from buying a new home." Folks in the New England (Conn., Maine, Mass., N.H., R.I., Vt.) and Mid-Atlantic (Del., D.C., Md., N.J., N.Y., Penn., W.Va.) regions are also very concerned about high housing costs, with 38 percent and 37 percent expressing concerns respectively. Families in the Great Lakes (Ill., Ind., Mich., Minn., Ohio, Wis.), Deep South (Ala., Ark., Fla., Ga., La., Miss., S.C.) and Outer South (Ky., N.C., Okla., Tenn., Texas, Va.) regions are the least concerned, with only 33 percent, 31 percent and 29 percent concerned respectively.

The high cost of housing may also cause more families in the Northeast and West Coast states to move farther away. New Englanders were mostly likely to think about moving farther out, with 37 percent of folks in that region saying "the cost of housing may force members of my family to move farther away. "

Families in the Mountain and Pacific regions were also likely to consider such a move, with 35 percent each worried about being forced to move farther away.

Regional differences in attitudes abound, with 31 percent of folks in the Mid-Atlantic region concerned about moving farther away, yet only 28 percent in the Farm Belt, 23 percent in the Deep South, 22 percent in the Outer South and 21 percent in the Great Lakes were concerned about having to move farther away.

NAR's survey also found that smart growth issues such as the amount of open space and traffic rank fourth behind a low crime rate, good schools and a strong local economy as the driving forces behind where families choose to live. A low crime rate, good quality public schools, and a strong economy and access to jobs were the most important considerations when deciding where to live, with 88 percent, 80 percent and 73 percent of participants naming them respectively.

Growth issues were next among families living in the suburbs, with 62 percent selecting "the area has parks and protects open space," 56 percent saying "the area manages growth and new development," and 55 percent choosing "there is no major traffic congestion on local roads, highways and freeways" as very important considerations in deciding where to live. Housing affordability also plays an important role, with 56 percent deciding where to live based on "the homes in the area are affordable, "while convenience issues were not much of a factor. Only 33 percent selected "I would have a shorter commute to work" as an important consideration in choosing where to live.

"This survey confirms that most families decide where to live based on good schools, a low crime rate and a strong local economy. However, one should not underestimate the roles that open space and affordability play in the homebuying decision," Edwards said.

The National Association of Realtors(r), "The Voice for Real Estate," is America's largest trade association, representing more than 800,000 members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.

Information about NAR is available at http://www.realtor.org. This and other press releases are posted in the Web site's "News Release" section.

Published: September 9, 2002

Use of this article without permission is a violation of federal copyright laws.