(NewsNation) — Housing prices are so excessive that some consumers are keen to threat their private security to afford a house.
A current Redfin survey discovered that roughly 1 in 5 (22%) homebuyers could be keen to commerce security for affordability, whereas greater than 1 / 4 (27%) mentioned they’d compromise by giving up a low-crime space.
The findings underscore the affordability pressure many are feeling, with dwelling costs at report highs and elevated mortgage charges including to the burden.
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The standard U.S. home-sale value has elevated over 40% since earlier than the pandemic, and mortgage charges are greater than double what they have been simply 4 years in the past. Whereas some markets have began to tip in favor of consumers, the dream of homeownership stays out of attain for thousands and thousands.
“Costs are beginning to come down, however consumers, particularly first-timers, are nonetheless battling with affordability,” Katie Shook, a Redfin Premier agent in Phoenix, mentioned in an announcement.
Most of these surveyed weren’t keen to compromise on private security and low crime, the highest two non-negotiables for homebuyers, with greater than 70% of respondents calling them “must-haves.”
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Whereas the survey was carried out nicely earlier than current headlines, the subject of crime has been entrance and heart once more this week as President Donald Trump deployed Nationwide Guard troops to handle public security considerations within the nation’s capital — a plan that would lengthen to different main U.S. cities.
The newest FBI information might provide some reassurance: Nationwide, property crime fell 8% in 2024 and violent crime dropped 4.5%.
Low pure catastrophe threat ranked third amongst homebuyer must-haves, partly explaining why costs are falling in some Florida markets. Fourth on the record of non-negotiables was entry to grocery shops.
In the meantime, consumers have been much less involved about residing in an space that displays their political opinions. Some 55% of respondents have been keen to make that trade-off if it meant affording a house.
The outcomes are from a Redfin-commissioned survey carried out by Ipsos in Could 2025 and mirror responses from 1,224 respondents who’re planning to purchase a house throughout the subsequent 12 months.
Respondents have been requested individually about 18 options, and for each, they might select “must have” or “willing to compromise to afford a home.”
