Gallup Poll: Two-Thirds of Americans Still See Housing Market as Unfavorable in 2026

The latest Gallup Economy and Personal Finance poll, conducted April 1-15, 2026, finds 67% of U.S. adults believe it is a bad time to buy a house, with only 29% saying it is a good time. This marks a modest improvement from 72% bad in 2025 and record highs of 76-78% in 2023-2024, but remains far below pre-pandemic levels where majorities viewed buying favorably. Gallup has tracked this since 1978, with the current pessimism representing the longest stretch of majority-negative views. The shift aligns with elevated home prices, mortgage rates near early-2000s levels, and depleted savings from recent inflation. These perceptions directly suppress homebuying intentions, with non-homeowners expecting to purchase within five years at a new low of 25%. Related Gallup data shows affordability concerns—housing costs, inflation, and energy—dominating personal financial worries for 35% or more of respondents. Broader context from 2025 polls confirms the trend, with inventory constraints and price expectations (65% anticipate rises) compounding the issue.