Will elections affect the housing market?

A recent survey conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of Move Inc. shows that 44 percent of home buyers expect Inauguration Day in January of 2009 to spur improvements in the housing market . . . no matter who is elected.

Even so, as many as 81 percent of home buyers are still nervous about the current housing market. 28% of respondents say their concerns center around having enough cash for a down payment, 20% fear their income is insufficient, 26% cite doubts about the national economy and 31% are fret over high home prices in general. Nevertheless, the desire to own a home is still strong, with 80% of all renters stating their intention to buy a home someday. 47% of those intend to purchase within 5 years.