SEATTLE–Twenty-seven percent of homebuyers believe the 2016 presidential election will have a negative effect on the housing market, according to a survey of 975 homebuyers conducted in May by Redfin.
Pessimism regarding the election’s impact on the market has grown since Redfin last surveyed homebuyers in February, the company reported.
In the survey, homebuyers shared their opinions on Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump, Bernie Sanders and election-year politics and how they think the outcome of the election will affect the housing market. The respondents skewed young. Forty percent were Millennials and more than 37% were first-time buyers, Redfin said.
Among the findings:
- Sixty-three percent of homebuyers said the election will have no effect on the housing market at all. This represents a 12-point decline since February, while the number of respondents agreeing the election will negatively affect the market grew from 15% to 27%—a 12-point increase, according to Redfin.
- One percent of respondents said they will absolutely leave the country if their candidate loses in the election. Another 9% said they will either consider it or seriously consider it, while 30% of respondents might joke about moving, but won’t actually do it.
- Twenty-eight percent said the market would be better served by a candidate other than the three remaining contenders. Among the remaining White House hopefuls, Bernie Sanders commanded a slight edge, with 26.5% of buyers in the survey endorsing him as the candidate who would help the housing market the most.
“While homeowner anxiety over the election is clearly mounting, the likelihood of an immediate shock to the market is rather slim,” said Redfin chief economist Nela Richardson. “It will take considerable time for our next commander in chief to implement policies that have any impact on housing. That said, the next president will inherit the lowest homeownership rate in 48 years and so far the voters have heard little to nothing about what the candidates will do to improve their chances of becoming homeowners. Candidates need to start discussing housing on the campaign trail now.”