Exclusive: most renters surveyed by Harris Poll say the areas they live in have become so unaffordable they are ‘barely livable’

Exclusive: most renters surveyed by Harris Poll say the areas they live in have become so unaffordable they are ‘barely livable’

The poll, conducted by the Harris Poll Thought Leadership and Future Practice, asked survey takers to identify themselves as renters or homeowners, along with other demographic information. Those polled were asked their opinion on home ownership in the United States. For many, especially renters, the outlook is bleak.

Though the vast majority of renters polled said they want to own a home in the future, 61% said they are worried they will never be able to. A similar percentage believe no matter how hard they work, they’ll never be able to afford a home.

“When you think about Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, and housing is right at that foundational level of security, the implications on consumer psyche when things feel so unaffordable is something that will impact everyone,” said Libby Rodney, chief strategy officer at Harris Poll. The American dream of owning a home “is looking more like a daydream for renters”.

  • kaitco@lemmy.world
    161·
    10 months ago

    Even the houses in the middle of nowhere are $400K in my state. Rundown, off State Route X, nearest neighbors are all poor trash house? Still $400K.

    I’m looking to build in the next year, and just expect that housing will be 50% of my pay or more because I’m sick of renting and being unable to prepare for when the rent shoots up $300 a month like it did last year.

    • IsThisAnAI@lemmy.world
      611·
      10 months ago

      Unless you’re in California or some other very high CoL in a city area that’s pretty doubtful.

      In 2018 purchased an 1800sq ft 3 floor town home in northern Virginia in the fair fax area (very wealthy area) for 420k. 2 bed room 2.5 bath, built 2005.

      I sold it in 2021 for 550k, probably could have made a bit more but we wanted to move . So there was definitely a big increase. But that’s a very nice, 2 BR, etc. there were cheaper ones. Down in the 300 range would get you a smaller home. Bought a nicer home in 2021 in a wealthy ish town of a small city. 2300 sq ft, 2 car garage, good schools, half acre to relax on. 450k after a second round of 3 way bidding.

      The idea that you can’t purchase a decent home in a nice area for 400k is entirely incorrect. https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/5908-Founders-Hill-Dr-UNIT-302-Alexandria-VA-22310/51919565_zpid/

      And to be clear, 400k isn’t affordable, we should drive that down, I just didn’t think what you said is realistic for most areas. It sounds unique ish to your area.

      • kaitco@lemmy.world
        41·
        10 months ago

        I don’t know what to tell you. I’m in Ohio, and everything is $400K, hence why I’m planning to go for a new-build…at over $400K.

          • sigmaklimgrindset@sopuli.xyz
            62·
            10 months ago

            Pretty sure Cleveland isn’t the only place in Ohio, and also I don’t think it’s even the top 3 centres people want to live? I remember a thread on Reddit a long time ago that people would rather live in Cincinnati or Columbus.

            Futhermore, unless you actually live or have local knowledge of the area, random zillow postings are useless without context of whether it’s a “good” or “bad” part of town. I could post several “affordable” places in my city, but they’re next to meth dens. The real estate listings make them sound REAL NICE, though.

            • IsThisAnAI@lemmy.world
              44·
              10 months ago

              1. The original comment specified in the middle of nowhere. I choose a random city to price that’s bullshit. You can very much have your top choice of city .

              2. https://www.zillow.com/cincinnati-oh/

              There are hundreds of decent houses under 400k. 4br 2100sq ft 325k. https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/7977-Heatherglen-Dr-Cincinnati-OH-45255/34274700_zpid/

              You do not need 400k to purchase a home in the vast majority of the country and certainly not in bum fuck Ohio. Imagine thinking this place is a meth den 🤣.

              Again I’ve purchased a home several times in the last year in a high cost of loving northern VA as well as a ticket away white rich suburban neighborhood for 450k and it’s a FANTASTIC house in a low crime area. The sentiment expressed here is bullshit.

              • RaoulDook@lemmy.worldEnglish
                2·
                10 months ago

                They will not let facts get in the way of their narrative of maintaining hopelessness, apparently. It’s like you handed a starving man a piece of pizza from Sam’s Club and they slapped it down because they wanted a Papa John’s pizza.

              • sigmaklimgrindset@sopuli.xyz
                21·
                10 months ago

                Ok, the biggest thing that stuck out to me was

                I’ve purchased a home several times in the last year in a high cost of loving northern VA

                Why are you buying “a home” several times in a year?