Desire for home-ownership remains strong

Despite the economic and financial difficulties stemming from the credit crunch, 81% of British adults hope to be home-owners in ten years' time, and 74% aspire to it within two years, according to a new research article published by the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML). The article, by CML chief economist Bob Pannell, is based on the results of a survey undertaken by YouGov. The survey includes questions that have been repeated consistently since the mid-1970s, enabling comparisons with earlier periods to be drawn. It shows that the desire for home-ownership has fallen back a little in recent years, but still remains strongly entrenched across all age groups. Aspirations are much higher than current home-ownership levels among those aged under 35, but it is far from clear whether and how people will achieve their home-ownership goal. Notably, most of those who are renting privately or sharing with family or friends are under 35, and more than half of these (54%) would like to become home-owners over the short term. However, only a third (33%) of those who hope to be home-owners in two year's time actually expect it to happen. Bob Pannell, CML chief economist, observes: “The results clearly show that the British love affair with home-ownership is far from over. But achieving the home-ownership dream has become more difficult for people, and is likely to remain so, especially for the young.” June 15, 2012