A majority of American voters say they value home ownership and oppose any steps by the government that make it more difficult to own a home, according to a nationwide poll of 1,500 likely voters, commissioned by the National Association of Home Builders. In fact, the poll revealed a word of caution to any politicians  running for office or re-election that they better not put roadblocks in the way of home owners’ — or those aspiring to be home owner’s — if they want to win votes.  

About 96 percent of home owners surveyed say they are happy with their decision to own a home, and even 84 percent of home owners who owe more on their mortgage than their home is currently worth say they are happy with home ownership. However, certain actions or threats by lawmakers lately are putting up roadblocks to home ownership, the voters say.

"The American electorate is sending a clear message that owning a home remains a cornerstone of the American dream and preserving a federal commitment to home ownership is essential to maintain a thriving middle class and get housing and the economy back on track," said Neil Newhouse, a partner of Public Opinion Strategies who conducted the survey.

2 Warnings From Voters

Here are two main messages that voters had for lawmakers, according to the survey: 

1. Leave the mortgage interest deduction alone. Seventy-three percent of voters say they oppose eliminating the mortgage interest deduction or reducing it in any way across income levels. In fact, 68 percent of voters say they would be less likely to vote for a congressional candidate who proposed to end the mortgage interest deduction — which held true across party lines. 

2. Do more to help home owners and those who want to be. Three out of four voters — including home owners and renters — say it’s “appropriate” and “reasonable” for the federal government to provide tax incentives to promote home ownership. Two-thirds of those surveyed say that the federal government should do more to help qualified home buyers get a long-term or 30-year fixed-rate mortgage.

Also, nearly seven out of 10 voters who are not currently home owners say they want to buy a home one day but too many roadblocks still remain. The biggest obstacles to home ownership reported were job uncertainty and saving for a down payment and closing costs, according to the survey. 

"Even in a down housing market, home ownership remains a core American value, with the vast majority of citizens who do not currently own a home saying they want to buy a home," Bob Nielsen, president of the National Association of Home Builders, said in a statement. "Those running for office in November need to understand that voters will not look kindly on any candidates who seek to dismantle the nation's long-term commitment to home ownership."

Source: National Association of Home Builders

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