Fannie Mae’s monthly National Housing Survey tracks Americans’ attitudes toward buying and selling homes, the economy, mortgage rates, and their personal financial situation. According to the most recent results, 68 percent of Americans feel now is a good time to buy a house, a 3 percent increase from the month before. Respondents who said it was a good time to sell fell to 39 percent from 44 percent in October. Doug Duncan, Fannie Mae’s chief economist, said November’s results follow this year’s often sporadic trend of gradual improvement across a range of indicators that measure consumer attitudes toward the housing market. However, Duncan feels the more encouraging trend is consumers’ assessment of their personal finances. The November survey found 46 percent of Americans expecting their financial situation to improve in the next year. That is nearing an all-time survey high and bodes well for the real estate recovery. As people become more confident in their employment and income, Duncan believes their feelings about entering the housing market will also improve, leading to a more robust recovery. Still, this growing optimism is largely dependent on continued improvement in the job market and meaningful gains in household income. More here.