Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Americana Group Real Estate Q2 Outlook Survey:

Millennials Are Increasingly Positive About Real Estate- Confidence in the Market Jumps Sharply-  Consumers Have their Eye on Mortgage Rates

[Las Vegas, NV] – Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, an HSF Affiliates LLC company, and Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Americana Group, REALTORS today released results of their second quarter Consumer Outlook Survey indicating that Millennials are increasingly optimistic about residential real estate. A full 80% of respondents ages 25-34 said their perception of the housing market is “favorable” or “somewhat favorable,” representing a 9 percentage point increase from the Q1 study.

Among all respondents, the national survey also found that confidence in real estate and home values jumped sharply, reaching 83% vs. 77% in Q1 study and 73% at year-end. Confidence is highest in both South and West regions at 84%.

“Young Americans, like the majority of survey participants, are feeling much better about homeownership,” said Mark Stark for BHHS Americana Group, REALTORS. “People are looking optimistically at housing for all right reasons – a place to feel secure, build a future and raise a family.”

Among all respondents, 70% said that finding the right home and community is crucial to family happiness. Millennials were even more emphatic about the emotional side of homeownership: 93% favor a home for “more space for my family,” while only 75% view it as “financial security to borrow against.”

“Consumers are mindful of the challenges faced during the real estate downturn,” added Earl Lee, CEO of HSF Affiliates LLC and president of BHHS Real Estate. “Though homeownership makes a solid, long-term investment, a home should never be considered a siding-clad ATM.”

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Mortgage and Rate Watch

On securing a mortgage loan, consumer sentiment continues reflecting the challenges people face through strict underwriting guidelines and credit-score requirements:

• 57% of respondents said securing a mortgage is more difficult than it ever was prior to the market crisis.
• Nearly 40% said lenders are “overly cautious” when it comes to mortgage financing.
• Anxiety and fear of losing a real estate opportunity are respondents’ main emotional challenges in seeking home financing.
• With rates rising recently, 71% said they are encouraged to buy a home now rather than later. It is worth noting that 78% of respondents indicated that homeownership is valuable regardless of shifting rates.

While 65% of respondents said they watch rates closely, there is confusion about recent rate trends. Among those who claim to watch rates closely, 43% believe that rates are holding steady or falling, though rates have risen so far this summer.

The knowledge gap calls for advice and guidance from real estate professionals to help people make the best choices. Of survey respondents, 63% indicated that a good agent can help them make the right choices about the type of home and community they want. And having a trusted source of information and guidance is important to 64%.

“Our survey shows that Americans who are looking to find and purchase a home remain positive about their prospects, and they’re looking to the guidance of quality real estate agents to navigate the entire process,” said Mark, BHHS Americana Group, REALTORS . “Home buyers are more informed than ever with their Internet searches and ongoing research; however, there’s a critical need to transform that information into analysis and advice that helps consumers make the best home-buying and selling decisions.”

The full survey details are available upon request. An infographic illustrating survey findings is available here.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Real Estate Outlook Survey Methodology

Interviews with 2,600 Americans who are “in the market” to buy or sell a home were conducted online by Edelman Berland in June-July 2013, Respondents are aged 25-64 with a household income of at least $50,000, and either recently bought/sold a home or are considering buying/selling a home. The margin of error is ± 2.0% for all respondents.

About Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Americana Group, REALTORS

Americana Holdings, which includes BHHS Americana Group and Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Arizona Properties, is the fourth largest Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Real Estate franchise in the country. Combined, this award-winning company has 21 offices and nearly 2,000 real estate sales executives. It is home to some of the country’s top-selling real estate professionals and has been recognized by JD Power and Associates multiple times for its commitment to customer service.

BHHS Americana Group was ranked #26 in RIS Media’s 24^th Annual Power Broker Survey of the country’s top 300 real estate companies http://remag.rismedia.com/t/14873.

In 2012 BHHS Americana Group was named a “Best Place To Work” in Southern Nevada and was included in the prestigious Inc. 5000 listing of America’s top private companies. BHHS Americana Group also houses a fully accredited real estate school with free Continuing Education classes every month.

Through its real estate brands, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Real Estate has nearly 80,000 real estate professionals in more than 2,800 locations across North America. Its global footprint spans North America, the United Kingdom, France, China, Singapore, India, Brazil and Australia, and includes more than 2,500 employees worldwide.

For more information, visit www.bhhsnv.com or call 702-796-7777.

About Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Real Estate and HSF Affiliates LLC

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Real Estate is a part of the HSF Affiliates LLC real estate brokerage family, which includes Real Living Real Estate. Most BHHS Real Estate franchisees are independently owned and operated.

HSF Affiliates LLC, based in Irvine, Calif., is a joint venture of which HomeServices of America, Inc., the nation’s second-largest, full-service residential brokerage firm, is a majority owner. HomeServices of America is an affiliate of world-renowned Berkshire Hathaway Inc.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, the BHHS logo are service marks of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices. and its related entities and are used under license with no other affiliation with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices.