Wednesday, February 8, 2012

VOTING FOR HOMEOWNERSHIP


American voters feel strongly about homeownership and would oppose most policies that would make it more difficult to own a home, according to a recent survey conducted on behalf of the National Association of Home Builders by Republican and Democratic polling firms of Public Opinion Strategies in Alexandria, Va., and Lake Research Partners in Washington, D.C.

Three-fourths of voters, both owners and renters, believe it is reasonable and appropriate for the federal government to provide tax incentives to promote homeownership. That sentiment cuts across party lines, with 84 percent of Democrats, 71 percent of Republications and 71 percent of Independents agreeing with this statement. Two-thirds of respondents believe the federal government should assist homebuyers so they can afford a long-term or 30-year fixed-rate mortgage.

Further, 73 percent of voters oppose eliminating the mortgage interest deduction, a sentiment shared across party lines — 77 percent Republicans, 71 percent Democrats and 71 percent Independents. More than two-thirds of voters (68 percent) say they would be less likely to vote for a congressional candidate who favored abolishing the deduction.

The survey also finds that a majority of voters oppose several other proposals affecting homeownership including: reducing the mortgage interest deduction; eliminating the deduction for interest paid for a second home; limiting the deduction for those earning more than $250,000 per year; reducing the deduction for homeowners with mortgages higher than $500,000; and eliminating the deduction for interest paid on home-equity loans.