Consumers Survey on Smart Choices for Home Buyers

Consumers’ Survey on Smart Choices for Home Buyers Conducted by NAR® and NAHB April 2002

About this Survey • Mail survey conducted by NFO • Sample: 2000 households derived from national panel of respondents who purchased a primary residence within the last 48 months • Margin of error: +/- 3 percent

Which type of home did you live in before moving to this home?

Which type of home do you currently live in?

When thinking about the factors you took into account before purchasing your home, what was the most important consideration? Price 41% Location 39% Home amenities 11% Proximity to work 2% Proximity to school 1% Proximity to public transportation 0% Proximity to shopping 0% 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45%

Setting Priorities: 1) Price, 2) Neighborhood, 3) Proximity to Work

Importance of Community Amenities % checking important to very important

Which of the following statements about homes and neighborhoods do you agree with? % that agree with statement

Attitudes About Growth and Housing

There at least three ways to direct development to meet future housing needs. Please rank them as most preferred, second most preferred or third most preferred. Most preferred Second most preferred Third most preferred Build new homes in outlying areas 29% 26% 45% Build new homes in existing, partially developed suburban areas 37% 51% 12% Build new homes on vacant land in the central city or inner suburbs 35% 23% 42%

Importance of Features in Next Home % checking important or very important

Thinking about the community you live in now, suppose you could change just one thing, what would it be? 35% Taxes would be lower 26% I'd live in a bigger house 17% I'd own a larger lot 8% My home would be closer to where I work Schools would be better 5% Other 9% 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40%

How concerned are you about the impact building your home had on the environment?

Importance of types of open space Natural/undeveloped lands 3. 95 Park/recreational area 3. 62 Farmland 3. 60 Open spaces set aside by builder 3. 39 3. 20 Playing grounds 0. 00 0. 50 1. 00 1. 50 2. 00 2. 50 3. 00 3. 50 1 = not at all important, 5 = very important 4. 00 4. 50

Who is responsible for urban sprawl? Residential builder/developer 49% Elected/planning official 48% Consumer want larger & less expensive homes 43% 37% Local government Other 7% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

In general, are you satisfied with the quality of life in your neighborhood?

Consumers’ Survey on Smart Choices for Home Buyers Conducted by NAR® and NAHB April 2002