International survey shows 62 percent of Americans think now is a good time to buy a home; highest in survey

The results of a survey conducted in eight countries for Genworth Financial was released today and contains some interesting findings. The survey was conducted on existing home-owners as well as people that said they were potential first-time home-buyers in eight countries; U.S., U.K., Ireland, Italy, Australia, Mexico, Canada and India.

International Highlights:

  • Almost half of all Australian home-buyers overpay their mortgage
  • Almost half of all Canadians were positive about the outlook for the economy and housing market
  • Indian home-buyers are generally upbeat about the economy and their personal finances
  • The Irish had a generally negative perspective on the economy and their personal finances.
  • Two-thirds of Italians would like to buy property now but said they are not in a financial position to do so.
  • Housing shortages in Mexico have resulted in a fall in affordability, with the average age of a first-time home-buyer over the last decade rising to 33 years
  • Despite being more optimistic than average in regards to the property market, UK respondents will not actively enter the market in the next 12 months and first-time home-buyers are increasingly being priced out of the market

U.S. Highlights:

  • More than half of Americans surveyed are nervous about how the economy will perform in the coming year
  • Nearly two in three feel that now is a good time to buy a home.
  • The average age at which a borrower is able to purchase their first home has increased from 27.3 years during the 1970s to 31.6 years in the 2000s.

Source: Genworth Financial

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