Tax Bill Raises Concerns about Homeownership; Most Will Change Buying or Selling Plans

Nearly one in three say they will buy a home "faster;" Majority support doubling the standard deduction and the increase in child tax credits

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Dec. 21, 2017 -- A new nationwide consumer survey from realtor.com® shows that the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act passed by Congress on Dec. 20 is raising anxiety about owning a home, with a majority of respondents reporting that the tax bill makes them either "concerned" (36.2 percent) or "very concerned" (17.2 percent) about being a homeowner. In contrast, less than a quarter of respondents said that the bill makes them feel "positive" (15.0 percent) or "very positive" (7.2 percent) about homeownership. Only 22.9 percent said that the tax bill would not change their plans to purchase, while 57.1 percent said that the bill would not change their plans to sell.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will provide many people with higher after-tax incomes, which is expected to put upward pressure on home prices and mortgage rates. It caps the mortgage interest rate deduction at $750,000 and increases the standard deduction, which will eliminate the tax benefits of homeownership for many people and could decrease sales and home prices in expensive areas.

"The bill will have a significant impact on the housing market and overall economy, so it makes sense that people are wondering what it means to them," said realtor.com® Senior Economist Joseph Kirchner, Ph.D. "Some house hunters – particularly wealthy buyers – will see an increase in after-tax income making an already tough housing market even more competitive. This increased demand could drive prices up even higher than they are already. And changes in the deductibility of mortgage interest and state and local taxes could cause challenges for many homeowners."

The findings are part of an online survey of 2,324 randomly selected online respondents across the U.S. conducted on behalf of realtor.com® between Dec. 18 and 19.

Survey Highlights

Most and least favored aspects of the bill

• Nearly doubling the standard deduction and increasing child tax credits: 26.1 percent positive, 25.4 percent very positive
• Elimination of the mortgage interest rate deduction on second homes: 12.4 percent very positive, 18.5 percent positive
• Elimination of the deduction for personal casualty losses: 36.4 percent very negative, 20.1 percent negative
• The bill will increase the deficit by $1.5 trillion over 10 years, according to the Joint Committee on Taxation: 37.6 percent very negative, 13.8 percent negative

Expected impact of implementation

"How will the tax bill likely influence your home sale this year?"

• No impact: 57.1 percent
• I will sell faster: 13.9 percent
• Other: 11.4 percent
• I will sell slower: 10.0 percent
• I will postpone my home sale: 7.6 percent

"What likely impact will the tax bill have on your plans to buy a home this year?"

• I will buy faster: 29.2 percent
• No impact: 22.9 percent
• I will buy slower: 18.5 percent
• I will purchase a less expensive home: 14.2 percent
• I will postpone my plans to buy this year: 12.0 percent
• I will purchase in a different location: 2.3 percent
• Other: .9 percent

About realtor.com®

Realtor.com® is the trusted resource for home buyers, sellers and dreamers, offering the most comprehensive source of for-sale properties, among competing national sites, and the information, tools and professional expertise to help people move confidently through every step of their home journey. It pioneered the world of digital real estate 20 years ago, and today helps make all things home simple, efficient and enjoyable. Realtor.com® is operated by News Corp [NASDAQ: NWS, NWSA] [ASX: NWS, NWSLV] subsidiary Move, Inc. under a perpetual license from the National Association of REALTORS®. For more information, visit realtor.com®.