Here are some poll results released yesterday by Rasmussen Reports -- "an electronic publishing firm specializing in the collection, publication, and distribution of public opinion polling information."
Just 54% Say Their Home Worth More Than The Mortgage
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
The number of U.S. homeowners who say their house is worth more than the amount they still owe on their mortgage is down seven points since December.
Fifty-four percent (54%) now say their house is valued for more than they owe, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Thirty percent (30%) say their houses are worth less than the rest of their mortgage payments, and 16% are not sure.
In early December , 61% of homeowners said their houses were worth more than what they still owed on their mortgages.
Among those whose homes are no longer worth as much as the mortgage, expectations remain bleak--36% expect the value of their home to fall even further over the next year. In fact, even looking out over the next five years, just 44% of those in this difficult situation believe their homes will gain any value at all.
Among those whose home value exceeds their mortgage, there is also a significant level of short-term concern--28% say the value of their home will decline over the coming year.
Overall, homeowners' views on how long it will take the housing 
Twenty-eight percent (28%) believe the value is more likely to go down in the next 12 months, while only 13% expect a decline in value over five years.
Upper income Americans are far more likely than others to believe that their home is worth more than the mortgage. Among homeowners who earn less than $40,000 a year, just 39% have that confidence.
Nationally, housing prices peaked in 2005 and began declining in 2006. With many houses now back at early 2004 values, experts disagree on when the bottom in the market will be reached.
Sixty-two percent (62%) of investors think their home is likely to rise in value over the next five years, but only 16% believe that will happen in the next year.
In February, President Obama announced a $275-billion plan that would help millions of Americans avoid foreclosure through measures including subsidized mortgage payments. But 55% of Americans say the federal
However, 56% of Americans favor a plan forcing banks to stop all mortgage foreclosures for the next six months.
A majority of voters have consistently said that homeowners who cannot afford their mortgages should sell their homes and buy cheaper ones that the can afford.
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To view a copy of the original report, please us this link: It's Going Down, Baby!