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Fewer Than Half Now Say Their Home Is Worth More Than What They Paid for It

For the second survey in a row, fewer than half of U.S. homeowners believe their home is worth more than when they bought it.

Forty-eight percent (48%) of homeowners now say their home is worth more now than when they bought it, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. That’s just below April’s finding of 49%, the first time that figure dipped below 50% in over two years of regular surveying.  By comparison, in October 2011, 62% reported that their home was worth more than when they bought it, and in June 2008, 80% thought their home was worth more than when they bought it.

The national survey of 729 Adult Homeowners was conducted on June 18-19, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

26% Now Expect Their Home's Value to Increase Over Next Year

Short-term confidence among homeowners about the future of their homes' values is at its highest level in two years, and most now expect that value to increase in five year’s time. But at the same time those who think their home is now worth less than what they still owe on it ties an all-time high.  

Twenty-six percent (26%) of Adult Homeowners think the value of their home will go up over the next year, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.  Twenty-two percent (22%) expect their home’s value to go down over the next year, while 49% predict values will stay about the same.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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66% Say Government Should Cut Spending To Help Economy

Voters remain closely divided over the government’s role in responding to the troubled economy, but cutting spending remains a favored option for most.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 44% of Likely U.S. Voters are worried the federal government will do too much in reacting to the nation’s economic situation rather than not enough.  Forty-eight percent (48%) are more worried the government will not do enough.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters nationwide was conducted on June 15-16, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Just 16% Say Today's Children Will Be Better Off Than Their Parents

Optimism about the future of today’s children remains at an all-time low.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that just 16% believe today’s children will be better off than their parents. Sixty-six percent (66%) say today’s children will not be better off, while another 18% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on June 16-17, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

43% Expect Higher Interest Rates in a Year

Belief that interest rates will be higher a year from now is down from the first of the year and is at its lowest level since last December.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 43% of American Adults believe interest rates will be higher this time next year, while just six percent (6%) think they will be lower. Forty percent (40%), however, believe rates won’t change over the next 12 months. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults nationwide was conducted on June 10-11, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

57% Say Housing Prices Will Take More Than Another Three Years to Recover

Most Americans remain pessimistic about the U.S. housing market’s recovery from the bubble that burst in 2008. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that 57% believe that it will take more than another three years for the housing market to fully recover from the downturn that occurred in 2008. Fifteen percent (15%) predict a recovery in three years,  while 10% say it will take one or two years more. Another 19% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on June 16-17, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Just 31% Think $5-A-Gallon Gas Is Coming Soon

The surge in gas prices across the country appears to be over, with far fewer Americans predicting $4 or even $5 a gallon prices at the pump. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 41% of American Adults now say they are paying more for a gallon of gas than they were six months ago. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on June 14-15, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

52% Think Economy Will Be Unchanged or Weaker A Year From Now

Most Americans still believe the U.S. economy will be weaker or unchanged in a year’s time. Fewer than half expect the economy to be stronger even five years from now.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 36% of American Adults now think the economy will be stronger in a year. That’s consistent with findings so far this year and more optimistic than Americans were throughout 2011. But 52% don’t share that optimism, including 38% who believe the economy will be weaker in a year’s time and 14% who predict it will be about the same. Thirteen percent (13%) aren’t sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on June 16-17, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Just 27% Say Those Who Work Harder Make More Money

Most Americans still aren’t convinced that the harder you work, the more you get paid.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that just 27% believe that people who work harder generally make more money. Fifty-seven percent (57%) don’t believe that to be the case, while another 16% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on June 12-13, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

50% Say Financial Industry Bailouts Were Bad for U.S.

Fifty percent (50%) of Likely U.S. Voters still believe the government bailouts of the financial industry were bad for the country, but voters are now almost evenly divided on the effectiveness of the auto company bailouts.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 32% of Likely U.S. Voters think the financial industry bailouts were good for the United States. Seventeen percent (17%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on June 11-12, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

78% Remain Concerned About Inflation

Most Americans continue to lack confidence in the Federal Reserve Board’s ability to keep inflation under control, and they overwhelmingly expect to pay more for the groceries they buy.  

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 78% of American Adults are at least somewhat concerned about inflation, including 49% who are Very Concerned.  Just 19% are not very or Not At All concerned about inflation.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 American Adults nationwide was conducted on June 10-11, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Worker Output Trumps Seniority, Education When It Comes to Pay

Ask Americans who should get paid more, and they continue to believe the hardest workers should take home bigger checks than those with greater seniority or a higher level of education.

Sixty-two percent (62%) of American Adults think that given two workers with the same job at the same company the one who gets more done should be paid more than the one who has more seniority. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 16% feel the worker with more time on the job should get more pay, while another 16% say the two workers should be paid the same amount. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on June 12-13, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

New High: 42% Worried They’ll Lose Their Money Due To Bank Failure

Over half of Americans now lack confidence in the U.S. banking system, and more than ever are worried about losing the money they have in the bank. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 46% of American Adults are at least somewhat confident in the stability of the U.S. banking industry, but 52% are not. This includes 11% who are Very Confident and 12% who are Not At All Confident. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults nationwide was conducted on June 10-11, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

45% Favor 10% Pay Cut For All State Employees, 41% Oppose

Most Americans still say their home states are having major budget problems, and a plurality now favors a 10% pay cut for all state employees to help reduce government spending.

Sixty-eight percent (68%) of American Adults say their state is having a budget crisis, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Twenty percent (20%) report no budget crisis in their state, while 12% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls).   Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on June 6-7, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

49% Favor Public Employee Unions, 46% Oppose

This week’s unsuccessful effort to recall Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker is expected to prompt more states to cut the benefits of public employee unions in an effort to reduce sizable budget deficits. Americans still have mixed feelings about those unions but would much rather reduce their benefits than pay more taxes to fund them.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey, taken since Tuesday’s recall vote, finds that 49% of American Adults at least somewhat favor unions for public employees, including 23% who Strongly Favor them. Nearly as many (46%) oppose those unions, with 30% who Strongly Oppose them. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on June 6-7, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

34% Say Government Should Do Nothing for Long-Term Unemployed

As the national jobs rate continues to show little movement, most Americans still prefer short-term government solutions for the unemployed or none at all.

Twenty-seven percent (27%) of Americans believe in ongoing federal aid for those who can’t find work over an extended period of time, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. This number includes 13% who think the government should hire those people and 14% who support extending unemployment benefits indefinitely. Another 27% believe the government should pay for their retraining, while 34% say the government should do nothing at all. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on June 2-3, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

32% Say U.S. Job Market Better Than Year Ago

Despite last week’s disappointing government report on job creation, Americans are expressing more optimism about the job market than they have in well over a year. But three-out-of-four Americans still know someone who's out of work and looking for a job, and a sizable number know someone who's given up looking out of frustration.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that 32% believe the job market is better today than it was a year ago. Nearly as many (29%) say the job market is worse than last year, while 36% say it’s about the same. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on June 2-3, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

51% View Facebook Unfavorably; 48% Question IPO Process

The uproar over Facebook’s first public stock offering has soured perceptions of the social networking service, perhaps in part because of suspicions about the fairness of the stock selling process itself.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 45% of American Adults share at least a somewhat favorable view of Facebook, while 51% regard it at least somewhat unfavorably. The latter figure is up seven points from 44% in March. The new findings include just eight percent (8%) with a Very Favorable opinion of the social media service and 17% with a Very Unfavorable one. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on May 31-June 1, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

43% Are Very Worried Federal Government Will Run Out of Cash

More Americans than ever are expressing strong concern that the federal government will run out of money, even though they believe most politicians want the government to amass even more money than it has now.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that 64% are at least somewhat worried that the government will run out of money, while 31% are not worried. These findings include 43% who are Very Worried about this possibility and 10% who are Not At All Worried. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on May 29-30, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC . See methodology.

57% Think Big Banks Have Too Much Influence Over Fed

Most voters believe that big banks have too much influence over the Federal Reserve and think those who can benefit from its actions should be barred from serving on the Federal Reserve Board.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 57% of Likely U.S. Voters believe big banks and other major financial institutions have too much insider influence over the actions of the Federal Reserve. Only 16% disagree, with 27% more who are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on May 24-25, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.