© 2019 Fannie Mae. Trademarks of Fannie Mae. 1

Comparative Assessment of Fannie Mae’s National 

Housing Survey®

December 2019
© 2019 Fannie Mae. Trademarks of Fannie Mae. 2

Table of Contents

• Executive Summary........................................................................... 3

• Research Methodology....................................................................... 4

• Results............................................................................................ 5

• Appendix.......................................................................................... 17

Comparative Assessment of the NHS
© 2019 Fannie Mae. Trademarks of Fannie Mae. 3

Executive Summary 

Comparative Assessment of the NHS

• Study Objective: We sought to understand how Fannie Mae’s National Housing Survey® (NHS) results compare 

with other major consumer tracking surveys – including the University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers, the 

Conference Board Survey of Consumer Sentiment, and Gallup – on questions about the economy, personal 

finance, and housing sentiments, to test the consistency of the NHS, identify where and how much the NHS 

diverges from the other surveys, and explore the reasons. 

• Findings:

• We found very strong correlations between NHS questions and similar questions from other surveys. For the 

113-month comparison period, 7 out of 10 questions between the NHS and the other surveys had correlation 

coefficients of 0.80 or higher. The remaining 3 questions are about unemployment rate, whether it is a good 

time to buy a home, and perceived home value. Compared to the previous comparison with only 89 months of 

data, the correlations with more data grow stronger for a majority of the questions. 

• We do observe some notable differences between the NHS and other surveys for some questions, both in 

terms of significantly different absolute levels of responses and low correlations. These differences may be 

attributable to differences in question designs.

• More response choices for questions related to personal situation tend to lead to higher survey scores.

• More response choices for questions about general economic or market conditions tend to lead to more negative 

survey results.

• Neutral choices tend to lead to more negative survey scores. 

• With respect to general questions about economic or market conditions, NHS is helpful to forecast other 

surveys rather than the opposite. As to the economic outlook, other surveys are helpful to forecast NHS. 

• HPSI outperforms ICS and CCI to predict future market outcomes (home sales and housing starts).
© 2019 Fannie Mae. Trademarks of Fannie Mae. 4

Research Methodology

Comparative Assessment of the NHS

• A selected list of NHS questions1 from June 20102 to October 2019 (113 months) were compared with similar questions from three major 

Consumer Surveys:

• The University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers (Michigan)

• The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Survey (Conference Board)

• The Gallup U.S. Daily Survey (Gallup)

• For most of the questions, besides Percent Positive/Negative Responses, we also computed the Net Positive Percentage3 as the basis for the 

comparison

• Net Positive Percentage = Percent Positive Responses – Percent Negative Responses

• To assess similarity and differences between responses to similar questions from NHS and other surveys, the following methods are used:

• Time-series plots for visual comparisons in trends, levels, peaks and troughs, etc.

• Summary statistics including correlation coefficients, means, standard deviations, etc., to further quantify the similarities and differences 

between the comparison questions.

• Granger causality test4 to determine whether one question can be helpful to forecast similar questions in other surveys. In other words, this 

test is used to see if one question in one survey is useful for predicting the similar question in another survey when the latter’s own history is 

already being used for the prediction. Time series stationary testing (KPSS test5) are conducted, and first (or higher) differences are applied 

to non-stationary data before Granger causality test.

• Linear regression models are used to evaluate three indices’ (HPSI, ICS, CCI) prediction performances on two housing related metrics 

(home sales and housing starts).

1. See Appendix table 2 for complete list of questions compared

2. A few of the NHS questions didn’t start until March 2011

3. This is very similar to Net Promoter Score used widely in market research, with the advantage of it being simple (just one number) and easy to interpret (e.g. positive sign means overall positive 

attitude)

4. See Appendix for the introduction of Grander causality test.

5. See Appendix for stationary test.
© 2019 Fannie Mae. Trademarks of Fannie Mae. 5

Results

Comparative Assessment of the NHS
© 2019 Fannie Mae. Trademarks of Fannie Mae. 6

Economic Outlook (Percent Positive and Negative Responses)

Comparative Assessment of the NHS

NHS: In general do you think our economy is on the right track or is it off on the wrong track?

Gallup: Do you think that economic conditions in the country as a whole are getting better or getting worse?

Michigan: Now turning to business conditions in the country as a whole, do you think that during the next 12 months we’ll have good times financially, bad times?

• Very high correlations in percent positive responses: r(NHS,

Michigan)=0.87, r(NHS, Gallup)=0.93 and r(Michigan,

Gallup)=0.87. Michigan and Gallup are close, 2 points higher

than NHS.

• Very high correlations in percent negative responses: r(NHS,

Michigan)=0.82, r(NHS, Gallup)=0.93 and r(Michigan,

Gallup)=0.81. NHS and Gallup are close, about 8 points higher

than Michigan.

Economic Outlook Obs Mean Std. Dev. Min Max

NHS (Right Track) 113 39.42 9.45 14 59

Michigan (Good Times) 113 41.66 10.59 14 61

Gallup (Getting Better) 113 41.65 7.85 18 57

NHS (Wrong Track) 113 51.63 10.54 33 79

Michigan (Bad Times) 113 43.90 10.27 29 76

Gallup (Getting Worse) 113 52.78 8.58 35 77
© 2019 Fannie Mae. Trademarks of Fannie Mae. 7

Economic Outlook (Net Positive Percentage)

Comparative Assessment of the NHS

NHS: In general do you think our economy is on the right track or is it off on the wrong track?

Gallup: Do you think that economic conditions in the country as a whole are getting better or getting worse?

Michigan: Now turning to business conditions in the country as a whole, do you think that during the next 12 months we’ll have good times financially, bad times?

• Mostly negative and volatile. NHS and Gallup become positive briefly in Jan 2017, while Michigan basically remains positive after September 2014.

• Very high correlation: r(NHS, Michigan)=0.86, r(NHS, Gallup)=0.93 and r(Michigan, Gallup)=0.85.

• NHS on average is 10 points lower than Michigan survey, but close to Gallup.

Variable Obs Mean Std. Dev. Min Max

NHS 113 -12.2 19.9 -64 26

Gallup 113 -11.1 16.4 -59 21

Michigan 113 -2.2 20.6 -61 32
© 2019 Fannie Mae. Trademarks of Fannie Mae. 8

Economic Outlook (Net Positive Percent)

Comparative Assessment of the NHS

NHS: In general do you think our economy is on the right track or is it off on the wrong track?

Gallup: Do you think that economic conditions in the country as a whole are getting better or getting worse?

Michigan: Now turning to business conditions in the country as a whole, do you think that during the next 12 months we’ll have good times financially, bad times?

• All three time series are non-stationary.

• Michigan Granger-cause NHS, which means including Michigan is useful for predicting NHS when NHS’s own history (2 lags) is already being used for the prediction.

• Gallup Granger-cause NHS, which means including Gallup is useful for predicting NHS when NHS’s own history (2 lags) is already being used for the prediction.

• Gallup Granger-cause Michigan, which means including Gallup is useful for predicting Michigan when Michigan’s own history (2 lags) is already being used for the prediction.

• NHS does not Granger-cause Michigan and Gallup.

Stationary (KPSS) test

Variable Null Hypothesis Alt Hypothesis P Value Conclusion

NHS Stationary Non-Stationary 0.01 Non-Stationary

Michigan Stationary Non-Stationary 0.01 Non-Stationary

Gallup Stationary Non-Stationary 0.01 Non-Stationary

Granger causality test*

Cause Variable Dependent 

Variable Lags Used P Value Conclusion

NHS Michigan 2 0.6158 Accept NH

Michigan NHS 2 0.0015 Reject NH

NHS Gallup 2 0.9966 Accept NH

Gallup NHS 2 0.0005 Reject NH

Michigan Gallp 2 0.4608 Accept NH

Gallup Michigan 2 0.0291 Reject NH

*Null Hypothesis: cause variable does not help predict dependent variable.
© 2019 Fannie Mae. Trademarks of Fannie Mae. 9

Personal Finance Next Year (Percent Positive and Negative Response)

Comparative Assessment of the NHS

NHS: Looking ahead one year, do you expect your personal financial situation to get much better, somewhat better, stay about the same, get somewhat worse, or get 

much worse?

Michigan: Now looking ahead–do you think that a year from now you (and your family living there) will be better off financially, or worse off, or just about the same as 

now?

• High correlation in percent positive response: r(NHS, 

Michigan)=0.80.

• High correlation in percent negative response: r(NHS, 

Michigan)=0.83. 

• Correlation in percent neutral response: r(NHS, 

Michigan)=0.34. 

• NHS percent positive response on average is 12 points 

higher than Michigan, and Michigan percent neutral 

response is 11 points higher than NHS, that is because 

NHS has 5 choices, and Michigan has just 3 choices. 

More choices for questions related to personal situation 

tend to lead to higher survey scores.

Personal Finance Obs Mean Std. Dev. Min Max

NHS (Get Better) 113 44.96 4.31 35 54

Michigan (Better Off) 113 32.63 6.89 20 45

NHS (Get Worse) 113 13.2 3.4 7 22

Michigan (Worse Off) 113 13.0 3.7 7 24

NHS (Same) 113 40.27 2.49 34 46

Michigan (Same) 113 51.54 4.25 44 60
© 2019 Fannie Mae. Trademarks of Fannie Mae. 10

Personal Finance Next Year (Net Positive Percentage)

Comparative Assessment of the NHS

NHS: Looking ahead one year, do you expect your personal financial situation to get much better, somewhat better, stay about the same, get somewhat worse, or get 

much worse?

Michigan: Now looking ahead–do you think that a year from now you (and your family living there) will be better off financially, or worse off, or just about the same as 

now?

• Both start trending up since July, 2014. The gap between NHS and Michigan gets smaller starting from mid year 2013, as the economy gets more stable and 

people become more certain about their future financial conditions.

• High correlation (r=0.87) between the two time series.

• NHS on average is 12 points higher than Michigan. 

• The Michigan survey has more people choose “the same” than the NHS (51.5% vs 40.3%), possibly due to fewer question choices than NHS (5 options for 

NHS vs 3 options for Michigan). About the same percentage of respondents choose “worse” (13.2% vs 13.0%). Also, the orders of the choice options are 

different between NHS and Michigan.

Personal Finance Obs Mean Std. Dev. Min Max

NHS 113 31.81 7.32 14 46

Michigan 113 19.65 10.11 -1 37
© 2019 Fannie Mae. Trademarks of Fannie Mae. 11

Personal Finance Next Year (Net Positive Percent)

Comparative Assessment of the NHS

NHS: Looking ahead one year, do you expect your personal financial situation to get much better, somewhat better, stay about the same, get somewhat worse, or get 

much worse?

Michigan: Now looking ahead–do you think that a year from now you (and your family living there) will be better off financially, or worse off, or just about the same as 

now?

Stationary (KPSS) test

Variable Null Hypothesis Alt Hypothesis P Value Conclusion

NHS Stationary Non-Stationary 0.01 Non-Stationary

Michigan Stationary Non-Stationary 0.01 Non-Stationary

Granger causality test*

Cause Variable Dependent Variable Lags Used P Value Conclusion

NHS Michigan 2 0.0000 Reject NH

Michigan NHS 2 0.4843 Accept NH

*Null Hypothesis: cause variable does not help predict dependent variable.

• Both NHS and Michigan are non-stationary time series.

• NHS Granger-cause Michigan, which means including NHS is useful for predicting Michigan when Michigan’s own history (2 lags) is already being used for the prediction.

• Michigan does not Granger-cause NHS.
© 2019 Fannie Mae. Trademarks of Fannie Mae. 12

Personal Finance Past Year

Comparative Assessment of the NHS

NHS1: Now looking back over the past year, has your personal financial situation gotten much better, somewhat better, stayed about the same, gotten somewhat

worse, or gotten much worse?

Michigan: Would you say that you (and your family living there) are better off or worse off financially than you were a year ago?

• The NHS didn’t start this question until March, 2011 and 

ended on December, 2015, comparisons are based on 

58 months data only, we still plot data from June 2010 for 

consistency.

• Correlation of percent positive responses: r(NHS, 

Michigan)=0.74; Correlation of percent negative 

responses: r(NHS, Michigan)=0.82; Correlation of 

percent neutral responses: r(NHS, Michigan)=0.01.

• NHS percent negative response on average is 13 points 

lower than Michigan, while its percent neutral response is 

17 points higher than Michigan. This may be related to 

the differences in respondents’ personal interpretation. 

Also, compared to “Personal Finance Next Year”, only 58 

monthly data are used here.

Personal Finance Obs Mean Std. Dev. Min Max

NHS (Get Better) 58 30.60 4.18 21 40

Michigan (Better Off) 58 34.67 7.16 21 48

NHS (Get Worse) 58 22.5 4.1 14 33

Michigan (Worse Off) 58 35.8 6.7 25 53

NHS (Same) 58 46.55 2.51 40 51

Michigan (Same) 58 29.38 2.97 25 36
© 2019 Fannie Mae. Trademarks of Fannie Mae. 13

Personal Finance Past Year

Comparative Assessment of the NHS

NHS1: Now looking back over the past year, has your personal financial situation gotten much better, somewhat better, stayed about the same, gotten somewhat

worse, or gotten much worse?

Michigan: Would you say that you (and your family living there) are better off or worse off financially than you were a year ago?

• Both are trending up from negative to positive for the comparison period.

• High correlation (r=0.88) between the overlap of two time series.

• NHS on average is about10 points higher than Michigan.

• The NHS didn’t start this question until March, 2011 and ended on December, 2015, comparisons are based on 58 months data only, we still plot data 

from June 2010 for consistency

Personal Finance Obs Mean Std. Dev. Min Max

NHS 58 8.1 7.98 -9 25

Michigan 58 -1.6 13.7 -32 21
© 2019 Fannie Mae. Trademarks of Fannie Mae. 14

Personal Finance Past Year

Comparative Assessment of the NHS

NHS1: Now looking back over the past year, has your personal financial situation gotten much better, somewhat better, stayed about the same, gotten somewhat

worse, or gotten much worse?

Michigan: Would you say that you (and your family living there) are better off or worse off financially than you were a year ago?

Stationary (KPSS) test

Variable Null Hypothesis Alt Hypothesis P Value Conclusion

NHS Stationary Non-Stationary 0.01 Non-Stationary

Michigan Stationary Non-Stationary 0.01 Non-Stationary

Granger causality test*

Cause Variable Dependent Variable Lags Used P Value Conclusion

NHS Michigan 2 0.5298 Accept NH

Michigan NHS 2 0.0133 Reject NH

• Both NHS and Michigan are non-stationary time series.

• Michigan Granger-cause NHS, which means including Michigan is useful for predicting NHS when NHS’s own history (2 lags) is already being used for the prediction.

• NHS does not Granger-cause Michigan. Compared to the Granger Causality testing results in “Personal Finance Next Year”, only 58 monthly data are used in “Personal

Finance Past Year”.

*Null Hypothesis: cause variable does not help predict dependent variable.
© 2019 Fannie Mae. Trademarks of Fannie Mae. 15

Unemployment (Percent Positive and Negative Response)

Comparative Assessment of the NHS

NHS1: How concerned are you that you will lose your job in the next twelve months? Are you very concerned, somewhat concerned, not very concerned, or not at all 

concerned that you will lose your job in the next twelve months?

Michigan: How about people out of work during the coming 12 months--do you think that there will be more unemployment than now, about the same, or less?

Conference Board: Six months from now, do you think there will be [more/same/fewer] jobs available in your area?

Unemployment Obs Mean Std. Dev. Min Max

NHS (Not Concerned) 104 82.2 5.00 72 90

Michigan (Less Unemployment) 104 24.0 5.18 10 36

Conference Board (More Jobs) 104 16.7 2.90 11 24

NHS (Concerned) 104 17.2 4.99 9 28

Michigan (More Unemployment) 104 26.0 4.20 19 43

Conference Board (Less jobs) 104 17.2 4.09 11 31

Michigan (Same) 104 49.2 4.04 37 58

Conference Board (Same) 104 66.1 3.32 55 71

• NHS’s percent positive response keeps on trending up since 

2011. It is on average about 60 points more than Michigan 

and Conference Board. One major reason is that Michigan 

and Conference Board have neutral choice which take a large 

percent of the respondents. Correlations: r(NHS, Michigan) = 

0.35, r(NHS, Conference Board) = 0.31, r(Michigan, 

Conference Board) = 0.70. 

• Michigan’s percent negative response on average is 9 points 

higher than NHS and Conference Board. Correlations: r(NHS, 

Michigan) = 0.20, r(NHS, Conference Board) = 0.74, 

r(Michigan, Conference Board) = 0.54. 

• With respect to percent neutral response, Conference Board 

is 17 points higher than Michigan. Correlation is 0.23.
© 2019 Fannie Mae. Trademarks of Fannie Mae. 16

Unemployment (Net Positive Percentage)

Comparative Assessment of the NHS

NHS1: How concerned are you that you will lose your job in the next twelve months? Are you very concerned, somewhat concerned, not very concerned, or not at all 

concerned that you will lose your job in the next twelve months?

Michigan: How about people out of work during the coming 12 months--do you think that there will be more unemployment than now, about the same, or less?

Conference Board: Six months from now, do you think there will be [more/same/fewer] jobs available in your area?

• NHS is more positive and has stronger upward trend upward than the other two series

• Positive but low correlations between NHS and Michigan (r = 0.31), and Conference Board (r=0.63) . Correlation between Michigan and Conference Board is 0.69.

• The NHS didn’t start this question until March, 2011,comparisons are based on 104 months data only, we still plot data from June 2010 for consistency

• NHS is much higher than Michigan and Conference Board because majority of the latter choose the same. NHS does not have neutral choice for this question.

Unemployment Obs Mean Std. Dev. Min Max

NHS 104 65.0 9.96 44 81

Michigan 104 -2.0 8.52 -31 13

Conference Board 104 -0.4 6.27 -19.4 11.7
Comparative Assessment of the NHS © 2019 Fannie Mae. Trademarks of Fannie Mae. 17

• NHS and Conference Board are non-stationary time series, and Michigan is more stationary.

• All three time series do not Granger-cause with one another.

Unemployment (Net Positive Percent)

NHS1: How concerned are you that you will lose your job in the next twelve months? Are you very concerned, somewhat concerned, not very concerned, or not at all 

concerned that you will lose your job in the next twelve months?

Michigan: How about people out of work during the coming 12 months--do you think that there will be more unemployment than now, about the same, or less?

Conference Board: Six months from now, do you think there will be [more/same/fewer] jobs available in your area?

Stationary (KPSS) test

Variable Null Hypothesis Alt Hypothesis P Value Conclusion

NHS Stationary Non-Stationary 0.01 Non-Stationary

Michigan Stationary Non-Stationary 0.09 Stationary

Conference Board Stationary Non-Stationary 0.01 Non-Stationary

Granger causality test*

Cause Variable Dependent Variable Lags Used P Value Conclusion

NHS Michigan 2 0.6903 Accept NH

Michigan NHS 2 0.9269 Accept NH

Michigan Conference Board 2 0.0581 Accept NH

Conference Board Michigan 2 0.3733 Accept NH

NHS Conference Board 2 0.8851 Accept NH

Conference Board NHS 2 0.9985 Accept NH

*Null Hypothesis: cause variable does not help predict dependent variable.
© 2019 Fannie Mae. Trademarks of Fannie Mae. 18

Home Price- Direction (Percent Positive and Negative Response)

Comparative Assessment of the NHS

NHS: During the next 12 months, do you think home prices in general will go up, go down, or stay the same, as where they are now?

Michigan: What do you think will happen to the prices of homes (like yours) in your community over the next 12 months? Will they increase at a rapid rate, increase 

at a moderate rate, remain about the same, decrease at a moderate rate, or decrease at a rapid rate? 

• Both positive percent trend up from 2011-2013, then stay 

relatively flat. From Oct., 2016 to mid of 2017, positive percent 

trend up again. r(NHS, Michigan) = 0.88.

• Both negative percent trend down from 2011-2013, then stay 

relatively flat. r(NHS, Michigan) = 0.85.

• Still 40%+ respondents in two surveys think the home price in next 

12 months will stay the same since the beginning of 2017.

Home Price Next 12 Months Obs Mean Std. Dev. Min Max

NHS (Go up) 113 42.8 9.5 18 58

Michigan (Increase) 113 38.6 13.3 10 58

NHS (Go down) 113 10.9 5.0 5 27

Michigan (Decrease) 113 10.5 4.4 4 23

NHS (Same) 113 40.9 6.1 30 55

Michigan (Same) 113 50.3 9.5 33 68
© 2019 Fannie Mae. Trademarks of Fannie Mae. 19

Home Price- Direction (Net Positive Percentage)

Comparative Assessment of the NHS

NHS: During the next 12 months, do you think home prices in general will go up, go down, or stay the same, as where they are now?

Michigan: What do you think will happen to the prices of homes (like yours) in your community over the next 12 months? Will they increase at a rapid rate, increase 

at a moderate rate, remain about the same, decrease at a moderate rate, or decrease at a rapid rate? 

• Both trend up from 2011-2013, then stay relatively flat.

• Very high correlation (r=0.88) between the two time series

• NHS on average is 3.8 points higher than Michigan.

• The difference might be partially due to the question construction – general vs your community. Also, NHS has fewer choice options than Michigan (3 options 

vs 5 options). 

Home Price Obs Mean Std. Dev. Min Max

NHS 113 31.88 14.19 -8 52

Michigan 113 28.08 17.35 -13 52
© 2019 Fannie Mae. Trademarks of Fannie Mae. 20

Home Price- Direction (Net Positive Percentage)

Comparative Assessment of the NHS

NHS: During the next 12 months, do you think home prices in general will go up, go down, or stay the same, as where they are now?

Michigan: What do you think will happen to the prices of homes (like yours) in your community over the next 12 months? Will they increase at a rapid rate, increase 

at a moderate rate, remain about the same, decrease at a moderate rate, or decrease at a rapid rate? 

Stationary (KPSS) test

Variable Null Hypothesis Alt Hypothesis P Value Conclusion

NHS Stationary Non-Stationary 0.01 Non-Stationary

Michigan Stationary Non-Stationary 0.01 Non-Stationary

• Both are non-stationary time series.

• NHS Granger-cause Michigan, which means including NHS is useful for predicting Michigan when Michigan’s own history (2 lags) is already being used for the prediction.

• Michigan does not Granger-cause NHS.

Granger causality test*

Cause Variable Dependent Variable Lags Used P Value Conclusion

NHS Michigan 2 0.0099 Reject NH

Michigan NHS 2 0.4105 Accept NH

*Null Hypothesis: cause variable does not help predict dependent variable.
© 2019 Fannie Mae. Trademarks of Fannie Mae. 21

Home Price – Average Percentage Change

Comparative Assessment of the NHS

NHS: By about what percent do you think home prices in general will go down/up on the average over the next 12 months?

Michigan: By about what percent do you expect prices of homes like yours in your community to go (up/down), on average, over the next 12 months? 

• NHS estimates are higher than Michigan estimates, both are lower than the actual results.

• High correlation (r=0.80) between the two time series, both are highly correlated with HPI past 12 month (r > 0.80) and both have much lower correlations with 

HPI next 12 months (r < 0.55).

• Michigan is specific to the respondents’ community and NHS is about the general housing market. 

• FHFA House Price Index – Purchase Only; data used here are HPI growth rates for the next 12 months (time series ends in Sep., 2018) and for the past 12 

months (time series ends in Sep., 2019).

Home Price Pct Change Obs Mean Std. Dev. Min Max

NHS 113 2.17 1.07 -1.3 3.9

Michigan 113 1.47 1.17 -1.2 3.7

HPI Next 100 4.98 2.68 -4.7 7.7

HPI Past 112 4.00 3.83 -6.1 7.7
© 2019 Fannie Mae. Trademarks of Fannie Mae. 22

Home Price – Average Percentage Change

Comparative Assessment of the NHS

NHS: By about what percent do you think home prices in general will go down/up on the average over the next 12 months?

Michigan: By about what percent do you expect prices of homes like yours in your community to go (up/down), on average, over the next 12 months? 

• All are non-stationary time series.

• NHS Granger-cause Michigan, which means including NHS is useful for predicting Michigan when Michigan’s own history (3 lags) is already being used for the prediction.

• Michigan does not Granger-cause NHS.

• NHS and Michigan do not Granger-cause actual result (HPI next 12 months).

Stationary (KPSS) test

Variable Null Hypothesis Alt Hypothesis P Value Conclusion

NHS Stationary Non-Stationary 0.01 Non-Stationary

Michigan Stationary Non-Stationary 0.01 Non-Stationary

HPI Next Stationary Non-Stationary 0.01 Non-Stationary

Granger causality test*

Cause Variable Dependent Variable Lags Used P Value Conclusion

NHS Michigan 3 0.0184 Reject NH

Michigan NHS 3 0.4446 Accept NH

NHS HPI Next 3 0.9909 Accept NH

Michigan HPI Next 3 0.2506 Accept NH

*Null Hypothesis: cause variable does not help predict dependent variable.
© 2019 Fannie Mae. Trademarks of Fannie Mae. 23

Good Time to Buy (Percent Positive and Negative Response)

Comparative Assessment of the NHS

NHS: In general, do you think this is a very good time to buy a house, a somewhat good time, a somewhat bad time, or a very bad time to buy a house?

Michigan: Generally speaking, do you think now is a good time or a bad time to buy a house?

• Both NHS and Michigan seem to have trended down regarding 

to good time to buy since 2015. NHS on average is 10 points 

lower than Michigan. The correlation between two time series 

is 0.67.

• Both NHS and Michigan seem to have trended up regarding to 

bad time to buy since 2015. NHS on average is 5 points higher 

than Michigan. The correlation between two time series is 

0.74.

Buy a House Obs Mean Std. Dev. Min Max

NHS (Good Time) 113 64.43 5.56 52 76

Michigan (Good Time) 113 74.13 4.90 63 83

NHS (Bad Time) 113 28.80 4.07 19.0 41.0

Michigan (Bad Time) 113 23.58 4.86 15.0 34.0
© 2019 Fannie Mae. Trademarks of Fannie Mae. 24

Good Time to Buy (Net Positive Percent)

Comparative Assessment of the NHS

NHS: In general, do you think this is a very good time to buy a house, a somewhat good time, a somewhat bad time, or a very bad time to buy a house?

Michigan: Generally speaking, do you think now is a good time or a bad time to buy a house?

• Both are highly positive for the comparison period. Both NHS and Michigan seem to have trended down since 2015. 

• Positive correlation (r=0.72) between the two time series.

• NHS on average is 15 points Lower than Michigan.

• Despite the high similarity of the question text in the two surveys, we still saw large differences. This may indicate that the differences in question 

design matters. NHS has four choice options, while Michigan only has two options. Also this is more subject to individual interpretation and therefore 

have large variations, 10 people may have 10 different reasons when saying “it is a good time to buy”. 

Variable Obs Mean Std. Dev. Min Max

NHS 113 35.64 9.44 11 57

Michigan 113 50.56 9.72 29 68
© 2019 Fannie Mae. Trademarks of Fannie Mae. 25

Good Time to Buy (Net Positive Percent)

Comparative Assessment of the NHS

NHS: In general, do you think this is a very good time to buy a house, a somewhat good time, a somewhat bad time, or a very bad time to buy a house?

Michigan: Generally speaking, do you think now is a good time or a bad time to buy a house?

Stationary (KPSS) test

Variable Null Hypothesis Alt Hypothesis P Value Conclusion

NHS Stationary Non-Stationary 0.01 Non-Stationary

Michigan Stationary Non-Stationary 0.01 Non-Stationary

Granger causality test*

Cause Variable Dependent Variable Lags Used P Value Conclusion

NHS Michigan 4 0.0146 Reject NH

Michigan NHS 4 0.0175 Reject NH

*Null Hypothesis: cause variable does not help predict dependent variable.

• Both NHS and Michigan are non-stationary time series.

• Michigan Granger-cause NHS, which means including Michigan is useful for predicting NHS when NHS’s own history (4 lags) is already being used for the prediction.

• NHS Granger-cause Michigan, which means including NHS is useful for predicting Michigan when Michigan’s own history (4 lags) is already being used for the prediction.
© 2019 Fannie Mae. Trademarks of Fannie Mae. 26

Good Time to Sell (Percent Positive and Negative Response)

Comparative Assessment of the NHS

NHS: In general, do you think this is a very good time to sell a house, a somewhat good time, a somewhat bad time, or a very bad time to sell a house?

Michigan: What about selling a house–generally speaking, do you think now is a good time or bad time to sell a house?

• Both NHS and Michigan show strong upward trends after 2013 

regarding to “Good time to sell”. Very high correlation (r = 0.99) 

between two time series. NHS on average is 3 points lower 

than Michigan.

• Both NHS and Michigan show strong downward trends after 

2013 regarding to “Bad time to sell”. Very high correlation (r = 

0.99) between two time series. NHS is basically the same as 

Michigan.

Obs Mean Std. Dev. Min Max

NHS (Good time to sell) 113 41.00 20.10 8 69

Michigan (Good time to sell) 113 44.53 25.21 3 78

NHS (Bad time to sell) 113 51.81 22.86 21.0 89.0

Michigan (Bad time to sell) 113 52.20 26.24 19.0 95.0
© 2019 Fannie Mae. Trademarks of Fannie Mae. 27

Good Time to Sell (Net Positive Percent)

Comparative Assessment of the NHS

NHS: In general, do you think this is a very good time to sell a house, a somewhat good time, a somewhat bad time, or a very bad time to sell a house?

Michigan: What about selling a house–generally speaking, do you think now is a good time or bad time to sell a house?

• Mostly negative but strong upward trend before 2015, turned positive in 2015, after that, strong upward trend till currently.

• Very high correlation (r=0.99) between the two time series. Much higher than the correlation (0.71) of Good time to buy. Maybe respondents are more 

uncertain about purchasing than selling, and then more divergent opinions towards good time to buy.

• NHS on average is 3 points lower than Michigan.

Variable Obs Mean Std. Dev. Min Max

NHS 113 -10.81 42.93 -80 47

Michigan 113 -7.67 51.43 -92 58
© 2019 Fannie Mae. Trademarks of Fannie Mae. 28

Good Time to Sell (Net Positive Percent)

Comparative Assessment of the NHS

NHS: In general, do you think this is a very good time to sell a house, a somewhat good time, a somewhat bad time, or a very bad time to sell a house?

Michigan: What about selling a house–generally speaking, do you think now is a good time or bad time to sell a house?

Stationary (KPSS) test

Variable Null Hypothesis Alt Hypothesis P Value Conclusion

NHS Stationary Non-Stationary 0.01 Non-Stationary

Michigan Stationary Non-Stationary 0.01 Non-Stationary

• Both NHS and Michigan are non-stationary time series.

• Michigan Granger-cause NHS, which means including Michigan is useful for predicting NHS when NHS’s own history (2 lags) is already being used for the prediction.

• NHS Granger-cause Michigan, which means including NHS is useful for predicting Michigan when Michigan’s own history (2 lags) is already being used for the prediction.

Granger causality test*

Cause Variable Dependent Variable Lags Used P Value Conclusion

NHS Michigan 2 0.0000 Reject NH

Michigan NHS 2 0.0018 Reject NH
© 2019 Fannie Mae. Trademarks of Fannie Mae. 29

Interest Rate (Percent Positive and Negative Response)

Comparative Assessment of the NHS

NHS: During the next 12 months, do you think home mortgage interest rates will go up, go down, or stay the same as where they are now?

Michigan: No one can say for sure, but what do you think will happen to interest rates for borrowing money during the next 12 months--will they go up, stay the 

same, or go down?

Conference Board: What do you think will happen to interest rates [over the next 12 months]? [five-point scale: increase, slightly increase, remain the same, slightly 

decrease, decrease]

• With respect to percent positive response, the three time series slightly 

trend downward between 2011 and 2014, and remain relatively stable 

between 2014 and 2018, then start trending upward strongly since the end 

of 2018.

• With respect to percent negative response, the three time series remain 

relatively stable between 2014 and 2018, then start trending downward 

strongly since the end of 2018.

• Since the end of 2018, more respondents think the interest rates over the 

next 12 months will stay the same.

• NHS, Michigan and Conference Board trend closely.

Mortgage Rate Obs Mean Std. Dev. Min Max

NHS (Go Down) 113 6.60 2.70 3 16

Michigan (Go Down) 113 7.42 3.60 3 26

Conference Board (Decrease) 113 11.25 4.45 5 28

NHS (Go Up) 113 49.59 7.91 32 64

Michigan (Go Up) 113 56.08 13.32 32 80

Conference Board (Increase) 113 58.22 9.08 40 73

NHS (Same) 113 37.35 6.55 25 51

Michigan (Same) 113 35.12 11.09 15 57

Conference Board (Same) 113 30.54 5.26 20 40
© 2019 Fannie Mae. Trademarks of Fannie Mae. 30

Interest Rate (Net Positive Percent) 

Comparative Assessment of the NHS

NHS: During the next 12 months, do you think home mortgage interest rates will go up, go down, or stay the same as where they are now?

Michigan: No one can say for sure, but what do you think will happen to interest rates for borrowing money during the next 12 months--will they go up, stay the 

same, or go down?

Conference Board: What do you think will happen to interest rates [over the next 12 months]? [five-point scale: increase, slightly increase, remain the same, slightly 

decrease, decrease]

• Since Aug. 2018, three time series trend downward strongly.

• The three time series trend closely: r(NHS, Michigan) = 0.89, r(NHS, Conference Board) = 0.90, r(Michigan, Conference Board) = 0.96. 

• NHS is about the home mortgage interest rates, while Michigan and Conference Board refer to interest rate in general. Conference Board has more choice 

options than the other two. Also, The order of choices in NHS are different from the other two surveys.

Interest Rate Go Up Obs Mean Std. Dev. Min Max

NHS 113 43.0 9.9 17 60

Michigan 113 48.7 15.9 7 76

Conference Board 113 47.0 13.3 13 68
© 2019 Fannie Mae. Trademarks of Fannie Mae. 31

Interest Rate (Net Positive Percent)

Comparative Assessment of the NHS

NHS: During the next 12 months, do you think home mortgage interest rates will go up, go down, or stay the same as where they are now?

Michigan: No one can say for sure, but what do you think will happen to interest rates for borrowing money during the next 12 months--will they go up, stay the 

same, or go down?

Conference Board: What do you think will happen to interest rates [over the next 12 months]? [five-point scale: increase, slightly increase, remain the same, slightly 

decrease, decrease]

• All three are non-stationary time series.

• NHS Granger-cause Michigan, which means including NHS is useful for predicting Michigan when Michigan’s own history (2 lags) is already being used for the prediction.

• NHS Granger-cause Conference Board, which means including NHS is useful for predicting Conference Board when Conference Board’s own history (2 lags) is already being

used for the prediction.

• Conference Board Granger-cause Michigan, which means including Conference Board is useful for predicting Michigan when Michigan’s own history (2 lags) is already being

used for the prediction.

Stationary (KPSS) test

Variable Null Hypothesis Alt Hypothesis P Value Conclusion

NHS Stationary Non-Stationary 0.01 Non-Stationary

Michigan Stationary Non-Stationary 0.01 Non-Stationary

Conference Board Stationary Non-Stationary 0.01 Non-Stationary

Granger causality test*

Cause Variable Dependent Variable Lags Used P Value Conclusion

NHS Michigan 2 0.0001 Reject NH

Michigan NHS 2 0.1771 Accept NH

NHS Conference Board 2 0.0086 Reject NH

Conference Board NHS 2 0.1637 Accept NH

Michigan Conference Board 2 0.0804 Accept NH

Conference Board Michigan 2 0.0084 Reject NH

*Null Hypothesis: cause variable does not help predict dependent variable.
© 2019 Fannie Mae. Trademarks of Fannie Mae. 32

Current Home Value

Insert Presentation Title Here

• The time series have all trended up since 2013 . The FHFA HPI have less volatility than the two current market value estimates of primary homes from surveys.

• Positive correlations between the four series: r(NHS, Michigan) = 0.61, r(NHS, HPI) = 0.63, r(Michigan, HPI)=0.92, r(NHS, AVM)=0.66.

• The NHS data didn’t started until October 2015, we still present data for the other time series from June 2010 for consistency.

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NHS Michigan FNM AVM FHFA HPI
© 2019 Fannie Mae. Trademarks of Fannie Mae. 33

Question Comparison – Neutral Ground, the Number of Choices and the Measurements

Insert Presentation Title Here

• More choices for questions related to personal situation (highlighted in orange & marked with *) tend to lead to more positive survey scores. For example, both the NHS 

and the Michigan survey ask about personal finance expectations in Question 2 and the past personal finance in Questions 3. The NHS offers five response choices (much 

better/somewhat better/same/somewhat worse/worse) while the Michigan survey only offers three (better/same/worse). Possibly as a result of fewer response choices, the 

Michigan survey respondents report a higher percentage of “same” and a lower percentage of “better” than NHS. 

• More choices for questions about general economic or market conditions (highlighted in green and marked with ^) tend to lead to more negative survey scores. For 

example, more response choices lead to lower scores in home price directions for Michigan in Question 5, good time to buy for NHS in Question 7 and good time to sell for NHS in 

Question 8, as well as higher scores for Conference Board in Question 9 on expected interest rate increase. 

• Neutral choices tend to lead to more negative survey scores. Respondents tend to be more positive when neutral choice is not available. For example, both the NHS and the 

Michigan survey ask about how concern lose your job in next twelve month. The NHS offers four response choices (very concerned/somewhat concerned/not very concerned/not at 

all concerned) while the Michigan survey offers three (more unemployment/same/less unemployment). NHS respondents report a higher percentage of “Not Concerned” than the 

Michigan(less unemployment).

• Correlation and Grander-causality reflect the similarity of the same question from different surveys. Good time to buy/sell, interest rate increase next year are closest, while 

unemployment has the least similarity between NHS and Michigan/conference Boards.

* ‘+’ means NHS Granger-cause other surveys; ‘-’ means other surveys Granger-cause NHS; ‘+/-’ means both Granger-cause each other. 

NHS Questions Comparative Survey Questions Measurements

NO. Questions Neutral Ground # of Choices Sources Neutral Ground # of Choices Correlations Granger 

Causality*

1 Economy Outlook No 2 Gallup No 2 0.93 -

Michigan No 2 0.86 -

2* Personal Finance Next Year Yes 5 Michigan Yes 3 0.87 +

3* Personal Finance Past Year Yes 5 Michigan Yes 3 0.83 -

4* Unemployment No 4 Michigan Yes 3 0.31

Conf. Board Yes 3 0.63

5^ Home Price -Direction Yes 3 Michigan Yes 5 0.88 +

6 Home Price - % change No 2 Michigan No 2 0.80 +

7^ Good Time to Buy No 4 Michigan No 2 0.72 +/-

8^ Good Time to Sell No 4 Michigan No 2 0.99 +/-

9 Interest Rate Increase Next Year Yes 3 Michigan Yes 3 0.89 +

Conf. Board Yes 5 0.90 +

10 Perceived Home Value

Michigan 0.61

FNM AVM 0.66
© 2019 Fannie Mae. Trademarks of Fannie Mae. 34

Three Consumer Indices

Comparative Assessment of the NHS

Fannie Mae Home Purchase Sentiment Index (HPSI): Averaging net positive percentages of six NHS questions on housing and personal finance

Michigan Index of Consumer Sentiment (ICS): Average of net positive percentages five questions on personal finance, business condition, and buying durable 

goods

Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index (CCI): Average of five questions on business condition, employment, and family income

• The three time series all trending upwards for the observation period, HPSI and ICS have less variations than CCI. CCI is much higher than HPSI and ICS 

since 2017.

• High correlations, r(NHS, Michigan) = 0.92, r(NHS, Conference Board) = 0.90, r(Michigan, Conference Board)=0.92.

• The NHS HPSI didn’t started until March 2011, we still present data for the other indices from June 2010 for consistency.

Indices Obs Mean Std. Dev. Min Max

HPSI 104 79.6 8.9 59.3 93.8

ICS 104 87.0 10.8 55.8 101.4

CCI 104 95.7 25.8 40.9 137.9
© 2019 Fannie Mae. Trademarks of Fannie Mae. 35

Three Consumer Indices

Comparative Assessment of the NHS

Fannie Mae Home Purchase Sentiment Index (HPSI): Averaging net positive percentages of six NHS questions on housing and personal finance

Michigan Index of Consumer Sentiment (ICS): Average of net positive percentages five questions on personal finance, business condition, and buying durable 

goods

Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index (CCI): Average of five questions on business condition, employment, and family income

Stationary (KPSS) test

Variable Null Hypothesis Alt Hypothesis P Value Conclusion

HPSI Stationary Non-Stationary 0.01 Non-Stationary

ICS Stationary Non-Stationary 0.01 Non-Stationary

CCI Stationary Non-Stationary 0.01 Non-Stationary

• All three indices are non-stationary time series.

• ICS Granger-cause CCI, which means including ICS is useful for predicting CCI when CCI’s own history (2 lags) is already being used for the prediction.

Granger causality test*

Cause Variable Dependent Variable Lags Used P Value Conclusion

HPSI ICS 2 0.4742 Accept NH

ICS HPSI 2 0.1318 Accept NH

HPSI CCI 2 0.3165 Accept NH

CCI HPSI 2 0.5284 Accept NH

ICS CCI 2 0.0004 Reject NH

CCI ICS 2 0.4294 Accept NH

*Null Hypothesis: cause variable does not help predict dependent variable.
© 2019 Fannie Mae. Trademarks of Fannie Mae. 36

Three Consumer Indices

Comparative Assessment of the NHS

Fannie Mae Home Purchase Sentiment Index (HPSI): Averaging net positive percentages of six NHS questions on housing and personal finance

Michigan Index of Consumer Sentiment (ICS): Average of net positive percentages five questions on personal finance, business condition, and buying durable 

goods

Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index (CCI): Average of five questions on business condition, employment, and family income

• Three indices are compared using regression models. Dependent variables in models are 6-month-ahead and 12-month-ahead home sales.

• In 6-month-ahead models, based on R2, HPSI/ICS/CCI can explain 83.3%/78.7%/67.8% variance of 6-month-ahead home sales, respectively.

• In 12-month-ahead models, based on R2, HPSI/ICS/CCI can explain 81%/79%/68.9% variance of 12-mouth ahead home sales, respectively.

• HPSI has the best performance to predict the future home sales on average, then followed by ICS and CCI.

Regression of House Sales

Explanatory Variables 6-month-ahead Avg 

House Sales1

12-month-ahead Avg 

House Sales2

HPSI 47.94*** 42.75***

(22.04) (19.59)

Observations 98 92

R-Squared 0.8333 0.808

ICS 36.95*** 33.59***

(18.97) (18.54)

Observations 98 92

R-Squared 0.7872 0.7902

CCI 14.89*** 14.17***

(14.33) (14.24)

Observations 98 92

R-Squared 0.6782 0.6891

t-statistics in parentheses. Asterisks denote statistical significance at the 10 (*), 5 

(**), and 1(***) percent levels.

1,2 Average of next 6 or 12 months’ house sales.
© 2019 Fannie Mae. Trademarks of Fannie Mae. 37

Three Consumer Indices

Comparative Assessment of the NHS

Fannie Mae Home Purchase Sentiment Index (HPSI): Averaging net positive percentages of six NHS questions on housing and personal finance

Michigan Index of Consumer Sentiment (ICS): Average of net positive percentages five questions on personal finance, business condition, and buying durable 

goods

Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index (CCI): Average of five questions on business condition, employment, and family income

• Three indices are compared using regression models. Dependent variables in models are 6-month-ahead and 12-month-ahead housing starts.

• In 6-month-ahead models, based on R2, HPSI/ICS/CCI can explain 86.9%/84.6%/81.2% variance of 6-month-ahead housing starts, respectively.

• In 12-month-ahead models, based on R2, HPSI/ICS/CCI can explain 90.7%/86.1%/82.2% variance of 12-month-ahead housing starts, respectively.

• HPSI has the best performance to predict the future housing starts on average, then followed by ICS and CCI.

Regression of the Housing Starts

Explanatory Variables 6-month-ahead Avg 

Housing Starts1

12-month-ahead Avg 

Housing Starts2

HPSI 21.26*** 19.55***

(29.33) (29.76)

Observations 98 92

R-Squared 0.8986 0.9067

ICS 16.35*** 15.14***

(23.09) (23.75)

Observations 98 92

R-Squared 0.8458 0.8609

CCI 6.95*** 6.68***

(20.48) (20.51)

Observations 98 92

R-Squared 0.8118 0.8218

t-statistics in parentheses. Asterisks denote statistical significance at the 10 (*), 5 

(**), and 1(***) percent levels.

1,2 Average of next 6 or 12 months’ housing starts.
© 2019 Fannie Mae. Trademarks of Fannie Mae. 38

Three Consumer Indices - Annual Changes

Comparative Assessment of the NHS

Fannie Mae Home Purchase Sentiment Index (HPSI): Averaging net positive percentages of six NHS questions on housing and personal finance

Michigan Index of Consumer Sentiment (ICS): Average of net positive percentages five questions on personal finance, business condition, and buying durable 

goods

Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index (CCI): Average of five questions on business condition, employment, and family income

• Among the three time series, HPSI and ICS have less variations than CCI.

• r(HPSI, ICS) =0.50, r(ICS, CCI) =0.29 and r(HPSI, CCI) =0.64.

• The NHS HPSI didn’t started until March 2012, we still present data for the other indices from June 2011 for consistency.

Indices Change Obs Mean Std. Dev. Min Max

HPSI 92 3.5 4.0 -4.8 12.9

ICS 92 3.7 6.6 -9.4 21.8

CCI 92 9.3 9.5 -12.0 32.2
© 2019 Fannie Mae. Trademarks of Fannie Mae. 39

Three Consumer Indices - Annual Changes

Comparative Assessment of the NHS

Fannie Mae Home Purchase Sentiment Index (HPSI): Averaging net positive percentages of six NHS questions on housing and personal finance

Michigan Index of Consumer Sentiment (ICS): Average of net positive percentages five questions on personal finance, business condition, and buying durable 

goods

Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index (CCI): Average of five questions on business condition, employment, and family income

• HPSI and ICS are non-stationary time series, CCI is stationary time series.

• ICS annual change Granger-cause HPSI annual change, which means including ICS annual change is useful for predicting HPSI annual change when HPSI’s own history (2

lags) is already being used for the prediction.

• ICS annual change Granger-cause CCI annual change, which means including ICS annual change is useful for predicting CCI annual change when CCI’s own history (2 lags)

is already being used for the prediction.

• CCI annual change Granger-cause ICS annual change, which means including CCI annual change is useful for predicting ICS annual change when ICS’s own history (2 lags)

is already being used for the prediction.

Stationary (KPSS) test

Variable Null Hypothesis Alt Hypothesis P Value Conclusion

HPSI Stationary Non-Stationary 0.01 Non-Stationary

ICS Stationary Non-Stationary 0.02 Non-Stationary

CCI Stationary Non-Stationary 0.10 Stationary

Granger causality test*

Cause Variable Dependent Variable Lags Used P Value Conclusion

HPSI ICS 2 0.6576 Accept NH

ICS HPSI 2 0.0087 Reject NH

HPSI CCI 2 0.2214 Accept NH

CCI HPSI 2 0.6411 Accept NH

ICS CCI 2 0.0215 Reject NH

CCI ICS 2 0.0070 Reject NH

*Null Hypothesis: cause variable does not help predict dependent variable.
© 2019 Fannie Mae. Trademarks of Fannie Mae. 40

Three Consumer Indices

Comparative Assessment of the NHS
© 2019 Fannie Mae. Trademarks of Fannie Mae. 41

Appendix

Comparative Assessment of the NHS
© 2019 Fannie Mae. Trademarks of Fannie Mae. 42

National Housing Survey

Background

• The Fannie Mae National Housing Survey is a monthly attitudinal survey, which polls the adult general population of the United States to 

assess their attitudes toward owning and renting a home, home purchase and rental prices, homeownership distress, household finances, 

and overall confidence in the economy. 

• Each respondent is asked more than 100 questions, making the Fannie Mae National Housing Survey the most detailed attitudinal survey of 

its kind. The survey is conducted on a monthly basis to track attitudinal shifts that occur among Homebuyers and renters in the United 

States. 

Survey Methodology

• Each month, beginning in June 2010, approximately 1,000 live (not automated) telephone interviews via landline and cell phone with 

Americans age 18 and older are conducted by Penn Schoen Berland (PSB), in coordination with Fannie Mae. The margin of error for the 

total monthly sample is ±3.1 percent at the 95 percent confidence level and larger for sub-groups. Data collection occurs over the course of 

the first three weeks of each month although most occurs in the first two weeks of the month.

Monthly and Topic Analyses and Research Briefs

• Monthly reports provide a timely view of trends in consumers’ attitudes using twelve key indicators. 

http://www.fanniemae.com/portal/research-insights/surveys/national-housing-survey.html

• Topic analyses provide deeper insights into one or more issues based on the compilation of three monthly samples. The three monthly 

studies that make up any given topic analysis are identical in wording and placement of questions. Additionally, research briefs are 

occasional and rigorous research reports, conducted internally or by external partners such as academics, exploring attitudes and behaviors 

on key issues.

http://www.fanniemae.com/portal/research-insights/surveys/special-topics.html

Comparative Assessment of the NHS
© 2019 Fannie Mae. Trademarks of Fannie Mae. 43

Survey Method NHS Michigan Conference Board

Mode 40% landline and 60% cell phone dials4 Landline and cellphone (starting in 2013) with 

unknown cellphone percentage Mail

Sampling Random digit dial

Random digital dial

Also include a rotating panel with 60% firsttimers and 40% re-interviewed 6 months later

Stratified, probability sample design, using 

USPS master address file as sampling frame

Weighting

Weighted to match the most recent Census 

1-year American Community Survey 

estimates, in age, gender, race ethnicity, 

income, education, and housing tenure.

Both household weights and adult weights 

are calculated, to match the Census Current 

Population Surveys estimates, in age and 

income

Post stratification weighting structure to cover 

Census divisions, age, gender, and income

Sample size 1,000 monthly

250-300 for mid-month release

500 for end-of-month revision

About 2,500 for end-of-month release; 3,500 for 

later revision

Field period

The first three weeks of the month Around first of the month through a few days 

before the release

Sent first of the month; Accepts returns through 

end of month

Fieldwork Penn Schoen Berland Michigan Survey Research Center The Nielsen Company

Release Generally, the 7th of the next month Preliminary figures at mid- month; final 

figures at end of the month

Prelim. figures, last Tuesday of month; final 

figures with next month’s release

History Monthly Since June, 2010 Started annually in 1946; quarterly in 1952 

and monthly in 1978

Started bimonthly in 1967; went to monthly in 

1977

Comparative Assessment of the NHS

Table 1 – Consumer Survey Methods: NHS1, Michigan2, and Conference Board3

1. Fannie Mae National Housing Survey Technical Notes http://www.fanniemae.com/resources/file/research/housingsurvey/pdf/nhstechnicalnotes.pdf

2. University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers sample design https://data.sca.isr.umich.edu/fetchdoc.php?docid=57449

3. Conference Board Consumer Confidence Survey Technical Note https://www.conference-board.org/pdf_free/press/TechnicalPDF_4134_1298367128.pdf

4. From October, 2014, NHS increased cell phone dials from 25% to 60%, to obtain a 40% cell-phone-only (CPO) sample that matches the current national CPO household percentages as 

estimated by CDC http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2014/07/08/two-of-every-five-u-s-households-have-only-wireless-phones/
Comparative Assessment of the NHS © 2019 Fannie Mae. Trademarks of Fannie Mae. 44

Table 2 – Consumer Survey Questions Analyzed

1. Gallup U.S. Daily Survey

2. University of Michigan Survey of Consumers

3. Conference Board Consumer Confidence Survey

NO. NHS Question Comparative Survey/Source Comparable Question/Data

1 Q10 In general do you think our economy is on 

the right track or is it off on the wrong track?

Gallup1 Do you think that economic conditions in the country as a whole are getting 

better or getting worse?

Michigan2

A4 Now turning to business conditions in the country as a whole, do 

you think that during the next 12 months we’ll have good times 

financially, or bad times or what?

2

Q11 Looking ahead one year, do you expect 

your personal financial situation to get much 

better, somewhat better, stay about the same, 

get somewhat worse, or get much worse?

Michigan

A3 Now looking ahead--do you think that a year from now you (and 

your family living there) will be better off financially, or worse off, or 

just about the same as now?

3

Q11b Now looking back over the past year, has 

your personal financial situation gotten much 

better, somewhat better, stayed about the same, 

gotten somewhat worse, or gotten much worse?

Michigan

A2 We are interested in how people are getting along financially 

these days. Would you say that you (and your family living there) are 

better off or worse off financially than you were a year ago?

4

Q112b How concerned are you that you will lose 

your job in the next twelve months? Are you very 

concerned, somewhat concerned, not very 

concerned, or not at all concerned that you will 

lose your job in the next twelve months?

Michigan

A10 How about people out of work during the coming 12 months–do 

you think that there will be more unemployment than now, about the 

same, or less?

Conference Board3 2A Six months from now, do you think there will be 

[more/same/fewer] jobs available in your area?

5

Q15 During the next 12 months, do you think 

home prices in general will go up, go down, or 

stay the same, as where they are now?

Michigan

A24a What do you think will happen to the prices of homes (like 

yours) in your community over the next 12 months? Will they 

increase at a rapid rate, increase at a moderate rate, remain about 

the same, decrease at a moderate rate, or decrease at a rapid rate? 
Comparative Assessment of the NHS © 2019 Fannie Mae. Trademarks of Fannie Mae. 45

Table 2 – Consumer Survey Questions Analyzed (Continued)

NO. NHS Question Comparative Survey/Source Comparable Question/Data

6

Q16/Q17 By about what percent do you think 

home prices in general will go up/down on the 

average over the next 12 months?

Michigan

A24b By about what percent do you expect prices of homes like yours 

in your community to go (up/down), on average over the next 12 

months? 

7

Q12 In general, do you think this is a very 

good time to buy a house, a somewhat good 

time, a somewhat bad time, or a very bad time 

to buy a house?

Michigan A16 Generally speaking, do you think now is a good time or a bad time 

to buy a house?

8

Q13 In general, do you think this is a very 

good time to sell a house, a somewhat good 

time, a somewhat bad time, or a very bad time 

to sell a house?

Michigan A17 What about selling a house -- generally speaking, do you think 

now is a good time or bad time to sell a house?

9

Q20b During the next 12 months, do you think 

home mortgage interest rates will go up, go 

down, or stay the same as where they are 

now?

Michigan

A11 No one can say for sure, but what do you think will happen to 

interest rates for borrowing money during the next 12 months–will they 

go up, stay the same, or go down? 

Conference Board 5A What do you think will happen to interest rates [over the next 12 

months]?

10 Q223 If you were selling your home now, what 

do you think the selling price would be? Michigan A23 What is the current value of your home? (if you sold it today, how 

much would it bring in?)

11 Home Purchase Sentiment Index Michigan Index of Consumer Sentiment
Comparative Assessment of the NHS © 2019 Fannie Mae. Trademarks of Fannie Mae. 46

The Fannie Mae Home Purchase Sentiment Index (HPSI): The Average of Six 

Questions from Fannie Mae’s NHS

Notes:

1. Survey responses are expressed as net percent positive, e.g., good minus bad, up minus down.

2. The net percent positives for each question are weighted equally in calculating the HPSI.

3. HPSI set to 60 at March, 2011, the first month that Question 112B was asked in the NHS.

Number NHS Question

Q12 Net Good Time to Buy

(Very and Somewhat Good Time To Buy - Very and Somewhat Bad Time To Buy)

Q13 Net Good Time to Sell

(Very and Somewhat Good Time To Sell - Very and Somewhat Bad Time To Sell)

Q15 Net Home Prices Will Go Up (next 12 months)

(Home Prices Will Go Up – Home Prices Will Go Down)

Q20B Net Mortgage Rates Will Go Down (next 12 months)

(Mortgage Rates Will Go Down – Mortgage Rates Will Go Up)

Q112B Net Confident about Not Losing Job (next 12 months)

(Not at All and Not Very Concerned about Losing Job – Very and Somewhat Concerned about Losing Job)

Q116 Net Household Income is Significantly Higher (past 12 months)

(Income is Significantly Higher – Income is Significantly Lower)

HHHHHHHH = Q12 + Q13 + Q15 + Q20B + Q112B + Q116

6 + 63.5
© 2019 Fannie Mae. Trademarks of Fannie Mae. 47

Stationarity and differencing

• A stationary time series is one whose properties do not depend on the time at which the series is observed. Thus, time series with trends, or 

with seasonality, are not stationary — the trend and seasonality will affect the value of the time series at different times. Most statistical 

forecasting methods are based on the assumption that the time series used are approximately stationary.

• We can use statistical tests like the unit root stationary tests to detect stationarity. Unit root indicates that the statistical properties of a given 

series are not constant with time, which is the condition for non-stationary time series. KPSS test is one type of unit root stationary test which 

is often used for testing a null hypothesis that an observable time series is stationary around a deterministic trend (i.e. trend-stationary) against 

the alternative of non-stationary. 

• Differencing (computing the differences between consecutive observations) is the method often performed on a non-stationary time series to 

make it become stationary.

Comparative Assessment of the NHS
© 2019 Fannie Mae. Trademarks of Fannie Mae. 48

Granger causality test

• The Granger causality test is a statistical hypothesis test for determining whether one time series is useful in forecasting another. A more 

precise statement would be we are checking to see if including X is useful for predicting Y when Y’s own history is already being used for the 

prediction.

• A time series X is said to Granger-cause Y if it can be shown, usually through a series of t-tests and F-tests on lagged values of X (and with 

lagged values of Y also included), that those X values provide statistically significant information about future values of Y.

• The lag length used in the test is determined in VAR, based on usual information criteria (AIC).

• Mathematical statement,

Let y and x be stationary time series. To test the null hypothesis that x does not Granger-cause y, one first finds the proper lagged values

of y to include in a univariate autoregression of y:

Next, the autoregression is augmented by including lagged values of x:

One retains in this regression all lagged values of x that are individually significant according to their t-statistics, provided that collectively

they add explanatory power to the regression according to an F-test (whose null hypothesis is no explanatory power jointly added by the x's).

Comparative Assessment of the NHS