66% Say Homeownership Is Out of Reach, But Many Renters Still Expect to Buy

The Dream Has Slipped, But It Has Not Disappeared

The clearest tension in the survey is simple: people are more discouraged about homeownership overall, but many renters have not given up on buying.

Nearly 49% of renters said they still believe they will one day be able to afford a home. At the same time, 73% of renters said the main reason they had not bought property was the economy or their personal finances.

Who Still Plans to Buy

Even with that pressure, 47% of respondents said they planned to buy a home in the next year.

That number matters because it shows the market is not just split between owners and locked-out renters. There is still a large group trying to move forward, but likely doing so with tighter budgets and less room for error.

For people in that position, financial readiness matters more than market optimism. The real question is not whether rates might improve. It is whether debt, savings, and credit are strong enough to support a purchase when the opportunity appears.

Homeowners Are Staying Put and Upgrading Instead

The survey also showed a clear pattern among current homeowners: most are not looking to sell.

More than 65% of homeowners said they did not plan to sell in the next year. Roughly 49% also said they did not believe housing prices would come down this year.

Instead of relocating, many owners appear to be directing money back into the homes they already have. Nearly 55% said they planned to start a major home-improvement project in the next year. The most common planned spend fell between $35,001 and $50,000, while more than 7% expected to spend between $100,001 and $150,000.

That is the behavioral shift that matters. When owners do not like the selling or buying environment, renovation becomes the alternative.

Renters Are Improving Too, Just Differently

Renters are also spending to improve their spaces, but their shopping habits look slightly different.

Among renters planning improvements, Home Depot ranked as the most popular hardware store. Local hardware stores came in second, tied with Lowe's. That suggests renters still value neighborhood convenience and familiarity, even when national chains dominate on price. Home Depot coupons and Lowe's offers both provide impressive ways to save.

Among homeowners, value appeared to matter more directly. Home Depot was viewed as the hardware store with the best prices, followed by Lowe's, and both clearly led as the top destinations for project materials.

What the Survey Really Shows

The strongest takeaway is not just that homeownership feels harder. It is that Americans are adjusting their behavior around that reality.

Some renters still expect to buy, but many know the path depends on stronger finances. Many homeowners are choosing renovation over relocation. And both groups are still spending on home-related needs, even if they are approaching those decisions from different starting points.