A survey has found that nearly half of respondents believe they could never save enough money for a down payment on a home, the National Foundation for Credit Counseling reported Tuesday.
The group, a nonprofit credit counseling organization, said its online survey of 2,000 people found 49% thought a down payment was forever out of reach and just 12% said they would not have any trouble coming up with a 20% down payment.
One-fifth of the respondents said they would need a lower down payment than the standard 20%, and nearly as many said they would have to borrow to afford a down payment, no matter the size.
The organization said the results are "discouraging news for the housing market in general — lenders, potential buyers as well as existing homeowners."
