A growing sense of economic pessimism is taking hold in the U.S., as new Fannie Mae survey data reveals nearly 70% of Americans believe the economy is headed in the wrong direction. An even higher percentage (73%) say it’s a bad time to buy a house. Coupled with mounting concerns about the housing market, the findings underscore the challenges facing would-be homebuyers, and paint an increasingly bleak picture for consumer sentiment as autumn begins.

According to Fannie Mae’s September 2025 Home Purchase Sentiment Index , using data from the National Housing Survey, only 32% of respondents said the economy is on the “right track,” compared to a striking 67% who believe it’s going the “wrong track.” These numbers have shifted little during the past year, signaling a stubborn lack of fa

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